OUTLAWS 88 LEICESTER PHOENIX 0 (13/6/2008)

Report by Richard Johnson

Photos by Gav Slater (gallery)

Nottingham Outlaws Rugby League Club scorched to a record-breaking 88-0 annihilation of basement club Leicester Phoenix on Friday evening in their first ever match under floodlights. In a dominant display the Outlaws put the a depleted Leicester outfit to the sword witha 17-try demolition job that eclipsed their previous 86-6 record against Worksop set in 2004. Indeed, with no fewer than 5 tries being dissallowed by the referee the Outlaws could have posted a three-figure score against their overwhelmed opponents!

The Outlaws went into the game with a some-what experimental line-up. With no fewer than 5 first-choice forwards unavailable coach Martin Crick was force to draft in a number of new players to the team, including 17 year-old Liam Annable who was rewarded with a first team debut after some excellent displays in the academy in recent weeks. A welcome return to the squad by Oliver Crick after long-term injury and veteran war-horse John Hemmingway meant that the younger less-experienced players would have experience to turn to if needed.

The shape of the match was set from the very first minute when the Outlaws received the ball from the kick-off and straight away it was apparent that the Outlaws had too much pace and power for their game but out-classed opponents. Within 3 plays the Outlaws were ahead when young winger Aled Hills marked his full debut with a well taken try in the corner after the ball zipped across the line and the move was repeated less than 2 minutes later but this time centre Tom Howley decided to keep the ball for himself and score a well taken try under the posts to make it 8-0 to the Outlaws with less than 5 minutes on the clock.

Above: Ben Radford was in blockbusting form and bagged a hat-trick

As the game continued the points continued to stack up. Next over the line was Paul Calland, the stand-off wizard was clearly too fast and too skilful for the Phoenix to handle and he sauntered in for a try without a hand being laid on him and then for good measure repeated the act in the very next set to make it 2 tries in as many minutes for the leagues top scorer.

The anguish didnt stop there for the Phoenix, try as they might the visitors could not make any impression with the ball and when they did get hold of it the Outlaws rush defence snuffed out any signs of danger, forcing the Phoenix attack into 1-man rugby that was easy meat for the hungry Outlaws defence. In return the Outlaws attack continued the scoring exhibition and Tom Howley bagged his second and Chris Macnamara scooted over the line to keep the scoreboard ticking over as the tries kept coming! Next up was Ben Radford who charged through the home defence to score a 50-yarder and Rob Brown showed that the Outlaws could pass the ball too when he got on the end of a 5-man passing movement to score athe best try of the first half.

As the half-time whistle approached the visitors must have wished the refereee might end the punishment a bit early. However, there was still a couple of minutes on the clock which was still enough time for the Outlaws to bag 2 more tries as eventual man of the match George Strachan barged over for a try and electric stand-off Paul Calland completed a first-half hat-trick as the referee mercifully called time with Outlaws in a commanding 52-0 lead.

Above: Man-of-the-match George Strachan bumps off an unwitting defender

If the visitors thought that the second half might see the Outlaws take the foot of the gas they were badly mistaken! The home team carried on at the same pace they started the first with Ben Radford galloping over the line for a typical solo effort and then the rampaging forward repeated the act with another barnstorming effort that made it 64-0 and completed a hat-trick for the turbo-charged second rower. With the game out of sight Outlaws coach Martin Crick began to ring the changes and on came young Liam Annable for his senior debut and the young tyro showed that he had bags of pace as well as power as he scored a superb try with virtually his first touch of the ball.

As the midway point in the second half approached the game but out-gunned Leicester team at last managed to get some possession in the Outlaws red zone but repeat sets of 6 came to nothing and their only real chance of posting any points was snuffed-out by an unyielding Outlaws defence.

Having undergone a brief defensive interlude the Outlaws went back on attacking duties and Paul Calland jinked over for his 4th try of the match. Jimmy Lewis, his half back-partner, was having a relatively quiet but workmanlike game up to this point but he suddenly stepped up a gear and scored 2 quick-fire tries, the second of which was the try of the match as the ball was transferred through the hands of virtually the whole team before the rejuvenated scrum-half shot through the remnants of the Phoenix defence for a superb exhibition-style try that put the Outlaws 82-0 ahead.

Above: Paul Calland racked up 4 tries and 7 goals in a good day at the office

As the clock ticked down the points dried up for a while as a sympathetic referee took pity on the visitors, dissallowing 3 tries for rather harsh forward pass calls. However, the scoreboard was soon ticking over again and it was perhaps fitting that the last try should go to Oliver Crick. The unlucky half-back has been unable to take to the field this season after a shoulder operation and a back injury prevented him from training over the last 6 months. However, the classy half-back showed he still knows the way to the line. The returning star got on the end of a Jimmy Lewis half break to take the decisive pass and mark his return with a try under the sticks. The Crick try equalled the Outlaws best ever score and up-stepped Paul Calland to slot the ball over to break the record and wrap up the match with the Outlaws in total command at 88-0.

Despite the huge score, watching coach Martin Crick was fairly non-plussed after the game, adding "At this stage of the season all I can ask for is that we keep winning games and with 7 wins out of 7 we continue to do that. In a game like todays we didnt learn a lot and there are far harder tasks ahead of us. However, we are still on course and we are now focussing on our next challenge"

The next challenge is once again at The Bay as the Outlaws entertain Gloucester Warriors (Saturday 2.30pm). The Outlaws know this match will be a much tougher challenge but they will be hoping to keep their 2 points lead at the top of the table and make it 8 wins out of 8.