Beefed-up Bulls batter shocked Sherwood

Missing several key players and filling in with new recruits Aaron Bainbridge and Francis Appleton from Worksop Rugby Union Club, the Wolf Hunt were prepared for an even contest in this Midlands Merit development league game, but came up against a much strengthened Buxton, who had recruited well for the game and fielded a near semi-professional team.

Both clubs were surprised by the difference in size, experience and quality as the game ended with the Wolf Hunt hanging on to a 77 point loss with several injuries and a disappointed fan base at their Mansfield Woodhouse home.

Having beaten Derby in their first game and narrowly lost to Coventry in their first home game last week, they come up against a bolstered Bulls team that were prepared for a battle.

In the end the power of the Bulls blew away the weakened Wolf Hunt team 77-0.

Weeks earlier the Bulls had narrowly beaten Derby by four points and, fearing an upset, put out a much improved side with numerous experienced and quality rugby players from the north west of England.

Chairman and Wolf Hunt player Richard Tempest-Mitchell said: “We didn’t expect this from Buxton. They had recruited well in preparation for this game.

“We clearly had them thinking we would compete, prior to the game and they turned up with nearly a brand new squad from their previous games.

“Our lads battled well, and never gave up, but at this level we were not prepared for the size and quality Buxton produced. We had several injuries and a few players away, so we were weakened from the off.

“We will learn from what happened and will bounce back. I do not expect this to happen when we meet Buxton again.”

The game started badly with a serious injury to one of the Wolf Hunt’s star players, Scott Thacker, who was carried off with badly broken ankle.

The Bulls started tentatively with a one pointer after five minutes and clearly thought they were in for a close game.

That was not to be. Within 20 minutes the Bulls had been overpowered by size and speed for five tries.

Sherwood were in shock at the task ahead. and fought hard to try to keep the Bulls out.

On occasions when the Wolf Hunt had possession they pushed the Bulls but could not get over the try line cleanly to score as two touch downs by Daniel Dykes and Aaron Lane were denied by the referee.

As the home side tired late on in the second half, the Bulls ran in four more tries, using their superior size, strength and speed to batter the Hunt’s try line.

The teams went in at 43-0 at half-time with the Wolf Hunt battered and bruised.

The second half was a slightly different affair,with the Wolf Hunt fighting back, making 70 yards several times in six tackles.

Excellent running from Brent Leivers, man of the match Jamie Davidson and hooker Glen Holt came to nought as the Bulls were determined not to let them breach the try line.

There were excellent defensive efforts from Ryan Garrod, Matt Upton and Christ Wright as well as good running from Grant Dixon, Danny Dykes and Craig Savage.

However, after 15 minutes the onslaught began again, with the Bulls running in a further four tries. in the half.

The Wolf Hunt fought well in defence but could not deal with the size and pace of the Bulls and the result was never in doubt.

Sherwood Wolf Hunt stand off Adam Bates was one of the several absences on Saturday as he flies to Russia this weekend with the Midlands Rugby league representative team this week.

The team will play two games against the Russian national side, who recently beat Ukraine Rugby league team in a European Rugby league competition.

This first visit of the Midlands Representative team is organised by the Rugby Football League in a bid to develop the game in the eastern Europe area.

Rugby League is the fastest developing game in the world with teams in every continent and the Midlands area is twinned with the eastern European countries.