OUTLAWS ACADEMY 52 SOUTH HUMBER 32

Nottingham Outlaws Academy turned into bunny-boilers on Sunday when they beat local rivals South Humberside Rabbitoh's 52-32 in a highly-entertaining encounter at The Bay. The victory kept the Outlaws young guns' within touching distance of the league leaders and on course for a return to the play-off finals.

A powerful Outlaws squad took to the field expecting to steam-roller the visitors but in the opening exchanges it was the Rabbitoh's who looked the stronger and they stunned the home team by taking an early 4-0 lead with a sharp try too wide out to convert. Outlaws immediately hit back with a try by burly prop Scott Mann who powered over for a short range effort but back came the Rabbitohs with a second try to once again nudge into the lead with a well taken try.

With the game continuing to ebb and flow it was the Outlaws who got the next score with Chris Parker, having a storming game, notching a fine try to put the Outlaws ahead for the first time in the match followed by a superb effort by Matt Campsall to stretch the Outlaws lead to 20-10 before the South Humber forwards once again made good ground leading to another score that pegged the lead back to 20-14 and the game remained evenly poised.

With both sides looking to a well earned half-time breather it seemed that the Outlaws would go into the sheds with a 1-score lead but there was just enough time for a last attack and in a fine, sweeping backs move, effervescent winger Rory Cave finished off the best move of the half by diving in at the corner for a try that extended the Outlaws lead to 24-14 as the referee drew the first half to a close.

During the half-time break, coaching guru Joe Shepherd waved his magic wand as he re-shuffled his players, bringing on several substitutes, including a second open-age appearance for rookie winger Danny Crampton who recently graduated from the Outlaws under 16's team. The young speedester did not dissapoint as he scorched down the wing with virtually his first touch of the ball only to be hauled down in the South Humber red zone.

With the scores relatively close both teams probed for an opening but a strong breeze was making handling difficult and both teams spilled the ball repeatedly as the match descended into something of a knock-on-athon. With the match evenly poised, both teams urgently sought some direction in attack as both teams looked for the decisive next try. As the Outlaws searched for a leader it was nuggety loose forward Rory McQueen who stepped up to the plate to give one of his most assured performances in an Outlaws shirt. The young forward steadied the ship with some superb cover defence and a series of probing runs seemed to lift the Outlaws when the game could have swung either way.

Buoyed by the fresh impetus provided by McQueen, the Outlaws attacking machine finally clicked into overdrive and in a scintillating 10 minute spell the Outlaws scored 3 quick-fire tries. First over the whitewash was powerful centre Si Phillips who used his pace and considerable upper body strength to break through the tiring South Humber defence and he was quickly followed over the whitewash by powerful forward Matt Campsall who was having a storming game against a big, physical South Humber pack. Not to be outdone Liam Annable also showed that he could handle the rough-stuff in the middle of the pitch as he powered over for his first of the match and the Outlaws were coasting at 36-14.

With the Outlaws having taken a decisive lead many teams would have capitulated but to their credit the South Humber pack roared back into action and they fought their way back into the match with 2 quick-fire tries that pegged the score back to 36-26 and with 15 minutes to go there were a few nervous looks between the Outlaws supporters.

In a desperate move to steady the ship, coach Shepherd turned to the vastly experienced duo of John Hemmingway and Dave Ivemey and the duo did not dissapoint as they slowed the pace of the match down and gave some much-needed steel to an Outlaws defence that was starting to leak points against an enthuisiastic Rabbitoh's team.

Having weathered the storm the Outlaws went in for the kill and wily forward Hemmingway showed the way to the line with a typical burrowing effort followed quickly by Si Phillips who bagged his second of the match, a feat quickly matched by Liam Annable who barged over to grab a fine brace for himself.

With the clock ticking down and the match drawing to a close there was just time for one last try as the ultra-reliable Dalmane Alberga dived over the line under a pile of bodies only to emerge not only with the ball but a try on the whistle that wrapped up the game with the Outlaws holding a healthy 52-32 winning lead.

After the match the coaches conferred to decide the winner of the man of the match trophy. It was a short discussion as there was one obvious winner! The irrepressible Rory McQueen who had a superb match on attack and defence

Next saturday the Outlaws Academy travel to Bedford knowing that this will be a much sterner test of their credentials, knowing that a win will be vital if they are to keep their play-off dreams on course!

Richard Johnson