Round 9 Hemel Stags vs Liverpool Buccaneers:

HEMEL STAGS 38 LIVERPOOL BUCCANEERS 24 – Pennine Way

Hemel put themselves back into play off contention with their second home win of the season, a hat trick of tries from loose forward Caine Wynyard the difference, although the Buccaneers were left to rue some wayward goal kicking which denied them at least a bonus point.
The sapping conditions took their toll on defences in the second half, in the first, there being little between the sides.The visitors opened impressively, pressure out wide almost seeing them score in the fifth minute, the Stags defence getting across to force them into touch.
From a kick on their next attack, though, Dave Afreh took the ball with a foot in touch and from the scrum, quick hands across the line sent Matt Garner in.
The Buccaneers had a let off soon after, Kane Phillips dropping the ball with the line seemingly at his mercy, but the Stags was not to be denied, Hemel were on the scoreboard with the next attack as the ball was moved into the centre for Craig Bailey to time his run perfectly to power through two defenders to go over for the first of Hemel’s 6 tries.Barry John Swindells converted, and from the re-start, more good ball movement allowed Wynyard to show he’s customarly strength for his first touchdown.
Liverpool started to apply the pressure and gained a repeat set but lost the ball over the line in the act of scoring but when Hemel failed to clear a grubber through on the next attack Danny Davies was on hand to poach a try out wide.
In an end to end finish to the half, Stags centre Mark Coulson was called on to make a try saving tackle and almost immediately at the other end, Afreh had a try chalked off for a defender being taken out in the build up.
With two minutes to go before the break, Davies was sin binned for cynical use of the elbow and Hemel held a narrow 12-8 lead at the interval.
With a man advantage, two minutes into the second half, Wynyard broke a tackle and scorched 60 metres for a superb touchdown but once the Buccaneers were back to a full compliment, they hit back.This time Hemel were penalised for a high tackle and Luke Murfin took full advantage to cross in the 55th minute, James Lacey converting.
On their next attacking set, more good work from Ashley Fyson gave Phillips space and on a last tackle power play, he spilt the cover to cross.
Just after the hour, Liverpool were back to within a converted score, good handling freeing winger Tim Sharkey to go over out wide.
The eyecatching Fyson was held up over the line with 15 minutes to go and in the next play, a resultant penalty for a high shot allowed Swindells to land a crucial penalty to put the Stags two scores in front.
With six minutes to go, Swindells assured victory with a superb 70 metre run to the corner and a majestic touchline conversion; Wynyard followed suit breaking a tackle to go half the length of the pitch for his third score, in his final match before leaving for Australia.
Liverpool showed great tenacity to the last and got onto the scoresheet again with an interceptin score for the final minute, centre Darren Forshaw striding clear the length of the field and converting his own effort..

Tries: Bailey (14), Wynyard (17, 42, 78), Phillips (58), Swindells (74)
Goals: BJ. Swindells 7
Hemel Man of the Match: Marcus Rose
Hemels Payers Player Award: