We welcomed league rugby back to Acklam Park, hosting our old friends from Cumbria, Penrith. The match started and Boro were on the attack from the off. A line out in the opposition half, the familiar driving maul saw hooker Joe Sawdon touch down as we crossed the line. Aedan Moloney kicked a superb conversion from out wide 7-0.
Dynamic player coach Ollie Hodgson broke through the middle, running over and around defender after defender. Only a desperate tackle prevented him from going all the way. The effort was thwarted but Hodgson was everywhere on Saturday. Definitely [the author] Player of the Match.
An attacking scrum once again saw Ollie break from the base and feed the ball out. Quick hands in a small space, the ball was spun out for full back Matthew Marsay to turn on the afterburners, and fly down the touch line to score. Another great conversion from Moloney to make the score 14-0.
Penrith went on the offensive and for while were camped in the Boro redzone. Wave after wave of attack were thwarted on the solid wall of the home sides defence. The “They Shall Not Pass!!!” attitude repelled the marauding Cumbrians. Eventually, the Boro cleared their lines, quickly retrieved the ball and sent wing, Rob Carney, over the whitewash. Aedan Moloney making it 21-0 with yet another good kick. Soon after, the young Boro scrum half, Jack Jeffers, puts a lovely kick through and created another chance. From a resulting the line out, the ball was recycled and tall Toby Tremlett sets off on a run. Defenders fell away from his charge and only sheer weight of numbers brought him down. However, Toby’s “Go Go Gadget” arm reached out and placed the ball on the line. Four from four, Aedan Moloney, converts 28-0. A try bonus before half time.
Penrith managed a penalty and took the option to open their score account to make it 28-3. However, Middlesbrough were straight back at them and some excellent ball retention and recycling worked the ball to Matthew Marsay who crosses for his second. Moloney converted to make send Boro in with a 35-3 score at the break.
In the second half, Penrith were attacking down the slope and within ten minutes of the restart had scored two tries making the score 35-15. Boro arrested the the Penrith charge with a penalty chance, which Moloney kicking his sixth from six made the score 38-15.
Aedan is then sin binned for a deliberate knock on. The call seemed harsh [in my eyes] as it appeared he did try to catch it. However, we would not have a game without an official, so no complaints here. Jeffers hits a Penalty moving the score on to 41-15. Followed by a superb run from young prop Patrick McArdle as Boro went on the attack. Ollie carried the ball on two more charges and “Try Machine” Marsay went over for his hat trick. On this occasion the conversion was missed. 46-15.
More good work and the ball was moved to the wing, into Rob Carney’s hands, who after a meandering run scores. Moloney back on the field after his yellow converts 53-15. For Aedan that was seven from seven. A great day with the boot. As the game approached the final minutes, a penalty from the visitors did not find touch. Fielded by Shay Barritt, fed flanker Ali Lang, who charged down the wing, then selflessly drew the last defender and passed inside to Marsay who completed the scoring for the game with his 4th try of the afternoon.
FT Middlesbrough 58 Penrith 15.
A great game from both teams, all credit to Penrith who never gave up despite the score line.
Next week the lads travel up to Blaydon for a 2pm kick off, go early cause the shopping traffic to the Metro Centre will be chaotic
Meanwhile, on pitch 2….
There were times during the week when the weather threatened to make Saturday a horrible day for rugby. A big thanks to Sunderland for travelling. As it transpired, it was a good day for rugby.
The Wasps got off to a rapid start in their league game against Sunderland. Three early tries from DJ, Veno and Harry Bryce went unconverted for the first 15 points. Chris Lord went over for a further two tries, both converted by Te Moore. The first half scoring was completed with another try; a second for Bryce converted by Moore.
HT 36-0.
Boro were unrelenting and continued the second half as they had finished the first. Tries from Paddy O’Brien, Joe McNeil (welcome back from Aus) and Pembo were all converted by Moore, adding 21 further points. 57-0. The final 10 points of the day come from two unconverted tries. Andy Micklewright continued his scoring for Boro, and a hat-trick try for Harry Bryce.
FT 67-0.
A tough day for Sunderland. Against a strong Boro Wasps they battled through to the last minute.
