Maoris secure victory at North Hykeham

The All Blacks travelled to Grimsby II in the merit league and lost 15-8, while the Maoris travelled to Lincoln to play North Hykeham’s second team and came out on top, 20-10.

The All Blacks travelled with 16 thanks to Arron Shirley who stepped up from the Maoris squad at the last minute and it was a good job he did as an early injury to full-back Tom Parkinson meant he played 70 minutes on his All Black debut and did his new team mates proud.

Playing against the elements the All Blacks went behind due to some poor defending allowing Grimsby to take an early lead, but the Gainsborough side fought back well and ended the first half 5-3 down.

Grimsby made a change at half-time in aid of strengthening their forwards and it paid off as they scored two tries through their forwards.

Again the All Blacks came back hard, both Andy Turner-Guest and Nathan Hymer-Bates went close before Chadwick crossed the line for the final score of the game.

There were many good performances this week.

James Taylor and Turner-Guest in the forwards and Dave Gill and Daniel Dawson in the backs.

Man of the Match went to Ross Duncan who is settleing in well at No8 and was a thorn in the Grimsby side in both attack and defence.

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THE Maoris travelled to Hykeham with a squad of 17 and had to reshuffle their team after losing a player to the All Blacks, but this was not going to stop them.

The Maoris skipper Nathan Mitchell had every reason to be a very happy man.

Hykeham have become very close rivals over the last couple of seasons and following the success of the All Blacks, beating their first team three times this season, it shows just how well the club are doing at present and long may this continue.

The Maoris scored all their points in the backs with tries from Ricky Gillyett, Zac Brumby and two for Craig Woodhead.

Special mentions to Shane Ellis and Tim Tanner who worked hard in the engine room of the forward pack.

Man of the Match went to Mark Goude who created the tries with his attacking display from fly half.