Results

PLANO - 28 MAVERICKS - 19
Prairie Park, Grand Prairie - April 12, 2008

The Mavericks hosted Plano at Prairie Park on a windy day at Prairie Park. Since the regular season was coming to an end for most clubs in the area the numbers weren't as good so we ended up playing 13 a side with four 15 minute quarters instead of the usual two 35 minute halves.

The Mavericks kicked off to start the first stanza but they started off slow as the boys didn't look very interested to get things going. Even though they didn't appear into the game they still managed to play some good defense and keep Plano at bay for a while. At the 13 minute mark Plano was able to take advantage of the backs not pressing and some missed tackles to score a converted try from 20 meters out and followed that with another try after a 40 meter run which was very similar to their first.
1st Quarter Score: Plano - 14 Mavericks - 0

Shay's talk in between quarters must have worked as the boys were much more focused and after a few Plano phases following the kick off they were able to regain possession and mount there own pressure. Some good multi-phase rugby from both the forwards and backs gained 30 meters and the attach was now 5 meters out when Plano was called for coming in from the side. Patrick took a quick tap and dove over for a try that Drew converted to cut the lead to 7. The Mavericks continued with the pressure and had some chances but knocks and lack of support at the breakdown kept that from happening. With 4 minutes left a run by Drew gained some good ground and quick tap got 15 meters and 5 meters out or so where Dave picked up of a ruck and was able to squirm through and touch down right on the goal line. The wind wasn't kind as Drew's kick sailed directly over the goal post to keep the deficit at 2. With time running out Plano was able to mount some pressure and a few maverick infractions found them inside the 22 and looking to extend their lead. Plano had a few good, hard runs and were inside the our 10 when Boxer John was able to steal the ball at the tackle. Rather than feed the ball back for a clearing kick Chris decided to pick and go where he broke two tackles and raced 40 meters before passing to Clark who was in good support who went the last 50 for the try that Drew converted.
Half Time Score: Mavericks - 19 Plano - 14

The Mavericks were looking to pick up where they left off at the end of the half and some good pressure to start lead to a hands in penalty and the ball inside the Plano 22. Patrick asked the sideline if we should go for points which the referee took as us wanting that and gave the signal for points. So instead of being able to run we had to kick and Drew just was just wide on the kick. Both sides played some good defense but there were some scoring chances available but none were capitalized. As the end of the quarter was approaching we were inside the 22 and looking to score when a penalty with no time left gave us a choice of points or banger from a little more than 10 meters out. Decision was made to run but the quick tap was dropped and the quarter ended.
3rd Quarter Score: Mavericks - 19 Plano - 14

The last quarter found both sides playing good defense and keeping each side at bay for the most part as the Mavericks were clinging to their 5 point lead. Plano took advantage of an infraction inside of the Maverick 22 by catching the boys slow to turn and face and quick tapping for a try under the posts and a 2 point lead at the 12 minute mark. The Mavericks looked to answer that score and worked the ball into Plano's end and about 30 meters out when they lost the ball and their flyhalf who had an outstanding match broke a tackle, avoided a diving tackle and outraced the defense for a try at full time to close out the scoring.
Final Score: Plano - 28 Mavericks - 19

ALLIANCE - 47 MAVERICKS - 14
Prairie Park, Grand Prairie - April 12, 2008

The Mavericks hosted Alliance at Prairie Park on a cool and breezy day at Prairie Park. This was another rematch with the visitors looking to avenge last month's 26-22 loss at Gateway Park. Last week we had 20 players for an away match but this week due to injury and other commitments that Mavericks only suited up 15 players.

The Mavericks were going against the wind to start and were poised to receive but things didn't start well. The kick off didn't travel 10 in the air but did make 10 on the bounce and the Mavericks inexperience allowed Alliance to pounce on the ball and after 5 phases, 30 meters and 50 seconds later they were over for a quick try. The Mavericks got possession back after the kick off but a poor clearing kick resulted in another 5 phases and a try. A few minutes later Alliance charged down a clearing kick that found it's way to in goal and confusion on the Mavericks part allowed Alliance to ground it for a 21 point lead 7 minutes in. Alliance took advantage of a lack of fringe defense and were easily making more than the gain line off multi-phase rugby and worked there way down for another score with 20 minutes left in the half. Like last week we had quite a few chances but the support was lacking as the ball was either poached or we were called for not releasing. The Mavericks were able to get on the board with about 5 minutes left in the half. Good pressure resulted in Alliance grounding the ball in their on in goal and following an infraction after the 5 meter scrum, Tyler quick tapped, got over the line and got stood up before grounding but good support from the pack kept him moving and as it went to deck he was able to squirm out to ground the ball and in doing so knocked the referee, Greg Puklicz off his feet but he still managed to award a try from the seat of his pants.
Half Time Score: Alliance - 40 Mavericks - 7

The Mavericks came out in the second half much more inspired than the first and it showed early with some good aggressive play. After a few phases Geoffrey picked up off the back of a ruck and made a nice run but was driven hard into the ground resulting it a slight shoulder separation. The Mavericks were forced to play a man down for the rest of the match. I didn't catch all of the second half as I was on the sideline with Geoffrey and his Mom but the boys stepped things and get another try on the board when Patrick was able to score off a penalty at about the 20 minute mark that Drew converted. The shorthanded Mavericks kept Alliance at bay for most of the half and only allowed one more after a missed tackle and long run. Considering the experience Alliance has and us being short a man the boys played much better in the second half.
Final Score: Alliance - 47 Mavericks - 14

JESUIT - 28 MAVERICKS - 10
Jesuit Prep School, Dallas - April 4, 2008

The Mavericks traveled to North Dallas to take on Jesuit's U17 side at Jesuit Stadium for a Friday Night Match under the lights. Jesuit was looking to avenge the 37-7 loss that we handed to them back in March while the Mavericks were trying to repeat the feat.

The Mavericks received to start the match and made some good ground with some quick multi-phase rugby from the pack and looked to have scored a few minutes in but came up just short on the grounding. As in 10 meters as the lines being used on the football field had the boys confused. In-goal was not in the football end zone but behind it as we had a few potential tries come up very short because of this on the night. A few minutes later a Maverick clearing kick off a missed Jesuit penalty went a wry resulting in them countering for an unconverted try

from 15 meters out. That would be the first of many penalties against the Mavericks this night and Jesuit worked to capitalize on those with kicks and/or quick taps. Jesuit extended their lead to 8 with a 25 meter penalty kick after a maverick offsides infraction which was the flavor of the day from a penalty perspective. Even with the all the penalties the Mavericks were still in it and had many opportunities and were able to get on the board when Patrick dove over off the back of a ruck after some good phases that included a nice driving maul. They score pulled the Mavericks to within 3 with 10 minutes left in the half. Two penalties in the last 3 minutes resulted in a try and penalty kick and an 11 point Jesuit lead going into the half.
Half Time Score: Jesuit - 16 Mavericks - 5

The Mavericks came out in the second half looking to play with more discipline and did so early on but eventually reverted to their penalty ways of the first half. At the 15 minute mark Jesuit was able to take advantage of that with a quick tap from 12 meters out to extend the lead to 16. The Mavericks did have chances to score but lack of discipline and low numbers at practice to work on continuity ended up taking it's toll. Jesuit added a converted try and the Mavericks closed out the scoring when after some very good multi-phase rugby Corey was able to dive over from a meter out off the back of a ruck.
Final Score: Jesuit - 28 Mavericks - 10

MAVERICKS - 26 ALLIANCE - 22
Gateway Park, Fort Worth - March 15, 2008

The Mavericks traveled to Gateway Park in Fort Worth to take on what was supposed to be Alliance U17 side but due to numbers quite a few of their U19 players suited up. Given the short notice due to our scheduling problems and start of Spring Break we still managed to scrounge up 15 players who were in need of a match.

The Mavericks received the opening kick-off going into a strong wind and a quick Alliance penalty found the Mavericks with a lineout 25 meters out. The ball was spun to the backs off the lineout where Drew was able to gain 10 meters before passing off to Blake who went in untouched for an unconverted try 2 minutes into the match. On the ensuing kick-off a questionable late hit of the hospital variety by a younger looking Skale sent wing Tony to the sideline for the rest of the half. Alliance put on some pressure and spent the next few minutes inside the Maverick 22 and after multiple phases meters from the goal line they were finally able to tie the score at the 14 minute mark. Alliance was bigger and stronger than the younger Mavericks but you wouldn't have known it with the way they stood up to them. With Alliance back inside our 22 they floated a pass to their backs that Dave read perfectly and would have had a long intercept try except for the fact his reach was just a few inches too short. Alliance was able to capitalize on the overload but not after multiple phases inside of 5 meters as the Maverick defense was not going to break that easy but eventually gave way for an Alliance try and 5 point lead with 5 minutes left in the half. The Mavericks answered 2 minutes later when after an Alliance infraction put the Mavericks inside the 22 another infraction was turned into points when Patrick quick tapped from 15 meters out to score to the left of the posts that Drew converted.
Half Time Score: Mavericks - 12 Alliance - 10

After another inspiring half time talk by Coach Shay the Mavericks kicked off to start the second half with the wind that of course had died down a bit since the first half. The game plan was to use the wind to pin Alliance in their own end and force them to go the length of the field. The plan didn't start off great at first as Drew's first kicked traveled and bounced a good 70 meters or so but eventually rolled out the side of in-goal giving Alliance a scrum from the point of kick which was near our 22. Alliance had brought some fresh players at the half and were able to break through for a 20 meter run for a converted try and a 5 point lead 4 minutes in. The kicking for pressure paid off as another of Drew's long kicks helped put Alliance inside their own 22. After a knock on the Mavericks were able to run multiple phases which resulted in Patrick diving over from a meter out for a converted try and a 19-17 lead at the 43 minute mark. Alliance put pressure on the Mavericks with a deep kick-off that was fielded inside the 22 and the inexperience and desire to run rather than kick with the wind like earlier led to the ball being stolen at the ensuing ruck. From there, Alliance with their Pacific Islands contingent ran multiple phases before finally breaking through for an unconverted try and a 3 point lease with less than 15 minutes to play. The young Mavericks would not go away and were doing their best to answer. They kept to the game plan and a nice kick led to Alliance carrying the ball in goal for a 5 meter scrum however the Mavericks couldn't convert it into points. with under 10 minutes to play Alliance sent a clearing kick from their own 22 that took an unlucky bounce into the hands of their wing who was headed for a sure but was whistled for being ahead of the kicker. At the ensuing scrum the Alliance backline decided to cheat over to stop Drew's slashing runs and Dave with another heady play saw this, picked up off the base of the scrum and went untouched and dotted down between the posts for a converted try and a 4 point lead with 5 minutes left. The Maverick defense tightened and the match ended in a somewhat unusual fashion. One of Alliance's flankers fought off getting tackled but had his jersey pulled over his head and the ball ended up getting stuck it in but the game went on. There were rucks and pick-n-go's with a ball covered by a black jersey. Just when it looked like Alliance would have a chance some great defense led to a penalty for not releasing and the ball was taken out of the jersey and kicked to touch to end the match. The boys played a great match especially considering they played almost an entire half a man down. After the match the Alliance coach said that our boys brought much more than they expected which is what will take them far in the future as this young team continues to learn and grow.
Final Score: Mavericks - 26 Alliance - 22