Newsletter NCL Tourists
MILFORD MARLINS NCL SUMMER LEAGUE
CHAMPIONS
Milford Marlins became the winners of the first NCL Summer League beating Thatto Heath in the Final 44-24 at Leigh East on Saturday 25th July.
Thatto Heath started strong and opened the scoring with a penalty after 5 mins from Shaun Quinn, Milford then hit back with a try after 10 mins when James Barker went over to take the lead 4-2, another Shaun Quinn penalty saw Thatto Heath draw level after 16 mins.
Disaster then struck as Chris (Chip) Smith was sent off after being dragged by the shirt with a Heath player and turned and caught him on the chin. If ever our "Never Say Die" motto was needed it was now.
Shaun Quinn then scored a try on 25 mins which he failed to convert making it 4-8 but the Marlins never gave up and after 35 mins were rewarded with a try from Ryan Oxtoby which was converted by Martin Loveridge this gave a half time score 10-8 to the fish.
Within a minute of the second half and some slick handling down the line Sam Teesdale scored in the corner which was unconverted 14-8.
Thatto Heath immediately replied with a try after 43 mins from No4 John Hughes which was converted by, you guessed it Shaun Quinn which leveled the score 14-14.
On 48 mins James Coates who worked hard throughout the game forced his way over to score which was converted by Martin Loveridge, 20-14.
The Marlins had to work hard to contain Thatto Heath but both John Elkington and Ryan Angus were tremendous in the midddle of the park this allowed our backs to create chances and openings. On 55 mins we were awarded a penalty to make it 22-14 and then 3 mins later Aaron Jones Bishop scored which Martin Loveridge converted to make it 28-14.
There ever present full back Shaun Quinn once again scored an unconverted try to bring the score back to 28-18. This was a crucial time for Milford and they responded by sending Martin Loveridge in on 72 mins who then converted his own try to make it 34-18.
Straight away we returned the ball from the kick off and after some good approach work were rewarded on 74 mins with another try from the pacey Aaron Jones Bishop which was unconverted 38-18.
Guess who popped up with a try for Thatto Heath? correct Shaun Quinn with some clever footwork and vision scored a good try which he converted to make it 38-24.
The Marlins were not to be out done and the final score went to the opening scorer for the fish James Barker which was converted by Ryan Angus just so he could have his name on the score sheet. Bringing the final result to Milford Marlins 44 Thatto Heath 24.
Just to add our appreciation to Thatto Heath who played the game in great spirit and made it a memorable final.
The Marlins team for the final contained 6 last years U17s, and 3 U18s along with some O/A players and showed some resiliance and determination at times when they could have tired.
The pilot has been a great success for us not only on the field but also off it at a time when there is usually nothing going on this has provided our members with some entertaining rugby on saturdays. Long may it continue.
On a negative note it was very dissapointing that there was only 1 NCL Management member to present the "shield with no name" to the winners and there was also no presentation afterwards in the Leigh East clubhouse, this had to be done by one of the Masters players from the previous game.