Play - Off's 2008

Moorends-Thorne Marauders 25 - 20 Lincoln City Knights

Moorends turned round at half-time coasting 20 - 6 against a below strength Knights outfit and a 11 - 6 penalty count in favour of the Knights, this possession was equalised out with a 9 - 7 scrum count in the Marauders favour.

The game was never allowed to break into a classic or even the usual free flowing game that is normally served up by these two teams, the usual first quarter arm wrestle appeared as always expected when these two teams meet, it was broken after a short period of pressure deep inside the Knights half of the field after Moorends were awarded a penalty for a head high tackle, from the resulting penalty the strong running Gareth Everton powered over scattering defenders in his way for the first score of the game, 4 - 0.

The game continued to chug along error filled and whistle happy, a big hit from Gav Millward and Jason Blanchard forced the ball free, Mark Roach scooped it up and with Alex Palmer supporting and the line begging the referee brought him back to award the Marauders a scrum instead of the advantage, justice was served up when from the scrum Roach dummied through the first line of defenders and won the foot race into the corner for a  28^th minute unconverted try, 8 - 0.

The Marauders had the upper hand and where soon back deep inside the Knights territory pounding their try line which was being kept safe with some excellent defence, it took the pace and power of Wayne Green to open the door after he had re-appeared after breaking his nose in the 5^th minute, Green went from acting half 10 metres out on the last tackle crashing over with two defenders hanging onto him, this time Ryan Rafferty converted from the touch line, 14 - 0.

Lincoln dominated the next 5 minutes and this resulted in a try from Johnny Ledger, the Marauders defence looked solid but Ledger took full advantage when the Marauders had three men in the previous tackle and a Lincoln player came in and tackled Ryan Rafferty off the tackled player, Rafferty protested to the referee’s deaf ear and Ledger shot from half back to score and convert the try, 14 - 6

Moorends came back with the ideal reply to the protested try when excellent footwork and passing saw the Marauders go deep into the Knights territory, quick hands to the right saw Mark Roach drop the ball off to Shaun Carver who crashed through and over the top of three would be tacklers, Ryan Rafferty converted, 20 - 6

Half-Time Moorends-Thorne Marauders 20 - 6 Lincoln City Knights

Wayne Green added a 45 minute drop goal for the Marauders before the Knights kicked into gear catching the home side dozing, Meehal Grint went over after 55 minutes from a lovely angled run going over in the corner 21 - 10.

John Turners powerful running found a chink in the Moorends armour going over the top of a would be tackler for the next Knights try on 68 minutes, 21 - 14.

The Marauders by know had started to look down the barrel of a shot gun when Graham Cass brought desperate times to the Marauders, Gareth Evans drew the Marauders defence deep inside his own half before releasing Cass on a long race which he won to go in under the posts, the try was converted by Gareth Evans on 74 minutes, 21 - 20

The last 16 minutes were dominated by the visitors who were unlucky when they had a try disallowed with 3 minutes to go that look perfectly OK.

Moorends kick into gear themselves in the last couple of minutes when a completed set of six saw the kick deflected into the path of Tom Brandham who’s quick hands found Ryan Rafferty, Erafferty drew the last of the Knights defence before sending Mark Roach in under the posts, Ryan Rafferty missed the easy kick to sum up the Marauders poor performance.

Full-time Moorends-Thorne Marauders 25 - 20 Lincoln City Knights

Marauders Tries

Gaz Everton 1

Mark Roach 2

Wayne Green 1

Shaun Carver 1

Goals

Ryan Rafferty 1/5

Drop Goal

Wayne Green 1

Man of the Match 1. Gaz Everton

…………………..2. Mark Roach

…………………..3. Tom Brandham

…………………..3. Alex Palmer

Moorends-Thorne Marauders 93 Vs 12 Widnes Saints

Peter Greens Marauders displayed power, skill, speed and the killer instinct with a emphatic 17 try demolition of the Rugby League Conference champions Widnes Saints, with everyman from 1 to 17 buzzing it would not have been fair to pick a man of the match that contain players who constantly opened up the Saints defence, the award eventually went to Greg Mills who displayed both support play and finishing power with 5 tries.

9 mins Mark Roach, after the Marauders had been putting pressure on the Saints line Mark Roach dummied himself over.

Ryan Rafferty converted 6 - 0

11 mins Greg Mills, Chris and Steve Allen broke the Saints line before turning the ball back inside to the supporting Greg Mills

Ryan Rafferty converted 12 - 0

18 mins Wayne Green, Saints where still in the game and had started to put pressure on the Marauders line, a long cut out pass was intercepted by Wayne Green who raced 90 metres to go in under the posts.

Ryan Rafferty converted 18 - 0

24 mins Chris Allen, The introduction of the 2004 RLC player of the year Shaun Carver produced the result with his first carry, the big

impact player scattered the Saints defence before being hauled down 10 metres short, quick play the ball combined with an excellent jump from half back saw Chris Allen crashing over 22 - 0

28 mins Tom Brandham, The Marauders gave notice on how dangerous they can be from anywhere, under pressure on their line scrum half Ryan Rafferty intercepted racing just over the half-way line before being caught, a quick play the ball had Wayne Green racing off drawing the cover defence, Green released Greg Mills who in turned turned the ball back inside for hooker Tom Brandham to win the race for the try line.

Ryan Rafferty converted 28 - 0

30 mins Wayne Green drop goal 29 - 0

32 mins Wayne Green, With the Saints defence rushing forward Mark

Roach put in a great chip kick on the fourth tackle for Wayne Green to latch onto and race over.

Ryan Rafferty converted 35 - 0

34 mins Steve Allen, Moorends where applying great pressure on the Widnes try line forcing two goal line drop outs, Steve Allen received the ball and with support players all around he simply sold a great dummy before the big second-rower crashed over without a glove being laid on him.

Ryan Rafferty converted 41 - 0

35 mins Adam Pickles, From the kick off Ben Hoffman crashed forward, from the play the ball the Marauders attacked the blind side, lightening quick short passing by Ryan Rafferty and Wayne Green saw winger Adam Pickles going round his opposite number before running over the top of the Widnes full-back on his way to the try line.

Ryan Rafferty converted 47 - 0

39 mins Jason Blanchard 51 - 0, lady luck and great core skills brought up the next Marauders try, with the Marauders attacking 10 metres out Mark Roach put in a grubber kick that rebounded of a defenders legs, the Marauders big 6’4” 18 stone winger picked the ball up off the boot laces to dive through the Saints defence in one fluid movement and ground the ball at the referees feet.

Half-Time Marauders 51 - 0 Saints

44 mins Chris Allen, Business resumed in the second half and Chris Allen used the powerful running of his brother Steve to draw the Saints defence as he dummied and went himself from 30 metres out.

Ryan Rafferty converted 57 -0

47 mins Greg Mills 61 - 0, From a Marauders scrum Wayne Green looped around the back his pace and quick feet drew the defenders to him before he released his centre partner Greg Mills who again displayed a clean pair of heels.

50 mins Ben Black, The Saints where playing for pride and constantly put pressure on the Moorends defence forcing a goal line drop out, again the saints where stopped within 5 metres of a try but Ben Black took it upon himself to force himself over from acting half back.

Ryan Millington 61 - 6

55 mins Ryan Rafferty The Marauders went straight back at the Saints and displayed immense discipline as they got piggybacked up the field with a series of penalties for high tackles, Showing their own mongrel the Marauders forwards hounded the Saints defensive line a series of quick play the balls had the Saints defence in disarray, Ryan Rafferty didn’t need the invitation as he side stepped around three defenders going over under the posts.

Ryan Rafferty converted 67 - 6

57 mins Greg Mills 71 - 6 The rough stuff by the Saints seemed to have the reverse effect on the Marauders than its intentions where meant to have, going back into the attack the Marauders runners gave to many options to Ryan Rafferty and Mark Roach for the Saints to cope with, Rafferty picked out Greg Mills who shot in at the corner.

59 mins Mark Roach, Not to be out done by his half back partner Mark Roach on the back of receiving a dangerous high shot and even more great forward play stepped himself over leaving defenders floundering on the lush green grass of what could have become a battle field if it was not for the three officials.

Ryan Rafferty converted 77 - 6

65 mins Ryan Rafferty, Widnes Saints cut out the silly business and automatically looked a far better side, putting pressure on a solid defence the Cheshire side throw caution to the wind in their attempt to cross the whitewash, this again proved to be their downfall as Ryan Rafferty intercepted and won the 90 metre foot race to the try line.

Ryan Rafferty converted 83 - 6

70 mins Ben Black, The Saints applied pressure again on the Marauders try line and in a carbon copy of their first try Ben Black again forced himself over from acting half back.

Ryan Millington 83 - 12

74 mins Greg Mills, Excellent angled running by Greg Mills saw him slice through the Saints defence from a great ball by Ryan Rafferty, Mills again diving over next to the posts.

Ryan Rafferty converted 89 - 12

76 mins Greg Mills 93 - 12, The Widnes line was under siege by the Marauders, Greg Mills displayed that he does not only have great lines of running and pace as he used immense strength to force himself over in the corner.

Full Time Marauders 93 - 12 Saints

Man of the Match, 1 Greg Mills

…………………..2 Chris Allen & Mark Roach

…………………..3 Steve Allen

Marauders Tries

Greg Mills 5

Mark Roack 2

Wayne Green 2

Steve Allen 1

Adam Pickles 1

Jason Blanchard 1

Chris Allen 2

Ryan Rafferty 2

Tom Brandham 1

Marauders Goals

Ryan Rafferty 12

Drop Goal

Wayne Green 1

Saints Tries

Ben Black 2

Saints Goals

Ryan Millington

Moorends-Thorne Moor Marauders will get the change to go one better than 2006 when they play in their second RLC Grand Final in a fortnight.

Beaten 36-30 by Liverpool then, they looked in ominously good form as they ran Bridlington ragged at Rochdale.

With midfield triangle Ryan Rafferty and Chris and Steve Allen ruling the roost along with impressive full back Wayne Green, they dominated from the 8^th minute.

Both sides made a tentative start, Mark Roach kicking out on the full for Moorends and Bulls centre Nicky Mercer losing possession after a 30 metre break, the first of the contest.

A second Mercer dropped ball gave Marauders the initiative and they struck twice inside four minutes.

Steve and Chris Allen made good ground and quick passing to the right from Tom Brandham, Wayne Green and Greg Mills sent in speedy Adam Pickles.

Rafferty converted and then exerted a key influence on proceedings, jinking to the posts after Brandham sent him clear and then capitalising on a power play, spinning away from the cover and sending Ben Hoffman, in support, to the posts.

Rafferty’s third goal made it 18-0 and only a fine tackle from Stu Beadle on his opposite number Wayne Green after a 70 metre break kept the Bulls in the game.

Skipper Ben Lawry tried to get the Bulls moving forward with a fine off load to Paul Campbell but too often their kicking game let them down.

Their brief revival was ended when fine interplay between Roach and Steve Allen sent Shaun Carver powering over to make it 24-0 in as many minutes.

Moorends were twice penalised for dissent in possession and then a high tackle and Bulls conjured their best move, Joe Hall, Lawry, Tom Radley and Oliver Smith giving Tom Keeping a chance in the corner but Jason Blanchard superbly held him out.

Thorne forced a drop out through Hoffman’s persistence but knocked on from it and from a kick from the base of the scrum, Keeping rolled Blanchard in to touch but again Bridlington could not capitalise.

Hard working Dave Robson’s offload was intercepted by Mills who made 70 metres down the touchline, Campbell stopping him with illegal use of the knees and visiting the sin bin along with Rafferty for dissent.

That hardly derailed Moorends, impressive Steve Allen running on to Roach’s pass from deep to cross, Wayne Green successfully taking over the kicking duties and then adding a drop goal on the last tackle of the next set.

He then shrugged off the cover to go over out wide and added an excellent touchline conversion and, from the re-start, Roach threw a dummy as the cover melted away and Green’s goal made it 43-0 to end a one-sided first period.

Marauders continued to live up to their name in the first set of the second period, Pickles searing clear from 60 metres on an arcing run from his wing to go over by the posts.

Wayne Green brought up the half century in the next set with another mesmerising solo run on the back of penalty and good work by Hoffman and Roach.

Making sure they got reward for each set, Wayne Green dropped another goal to make it 56-0 after Rafferty had been dragged back into play when looking certain to dart over with Chris Allen again prominent in the build up.

Brandham was sin binned for an elbow in the tackle and in his absence his opposite number Joe Hall scooted over to open the Bulls account after more perseverance from Robson.

Bridlington looked to have added a second from Chris King’s crossfield kick, Campbell and Luke Thompson sending Mercer to the line but he was held up.

Thorne did not spurn their next opportunity on the back of a drop out, Rafferty, Wayne Green and Alex Palmer sending Mills in, Rafferty missing the first shot at goal by the Marauders.

Bridlington deserved credit for staying positive, although they twice lost possession in promising positions and, with Robson again the go to man, Tom Radley twisted out of tackles close in to plant the ball down between the posts.

Moorends-Thorne-Marauders ended strongly; Roach, Dean Wright, and the Allen’s sending Gareth Munro over on the left out wide and Rafferty showing too much pace and guile on a last tackle play in the final minute to complete a comprehensive 12-try success.

BULLS

1 Stu Beadle

2 Joe Green

3 Oliver Smith

4 Nicky Mercer

5 Paul Campbell

6 Ben Lawry

7 Chris King

18 Dale Allinson

9 Joe Hall

8 Dave Robson

11 Luke Thompson

12 Lee Ellis

13 Tom Radley

Subs (all used)

14 Scott Eccles

15 Adam Dixon

16 Tom Keeping

17 Darren Whitehead

Tries: Hall (53), Radley (70)

Goals: Mercer 0/1 King 1/1

Sin bin: Campbell (33 – foul play)

MARAUDERS

1 Wayne Green

2 Adam Pickles

3 Dean Wright

4 Greg Mills

5 Jason Blanchard

6 Mark Roach

7 Ryan Rafferty

8 Gareth Everton

9 Tom Brandham

10 Gavin Millward

11 Alex Palmer

12 Steve Allen

13 Chris Allen

Subs (all used)

14 Ben Huffman

15 Gareth Munro

16 Shaun Carver

17 Roger McLean

Tries: Pickles (8, 41), Rafferty (12, 79), Huffman (16), Carver (23), S. Allen (34), Green (38, 44), Roach (39), Mills (61), Munro (74)

Goals: Rafferty 5/7 Green 4/5

Drop Goal: Green 2

Sin bin: Rafferty (33 – dissent), Brandham (51 – foul play)

Men of the match:

MARAUDERS – 1, Wayne Green

............................. - 2, Steve Allen

............................. - 3, Ryan Rafferty

Half time: 0-43

Referee: Steve Abel