Outlaws rugby league stars head out to Spain in high spirits after half century

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NOTTINGHAM Outlaws notched a superb 50-12 victory over an uncompromising Valley Cougars at Highfields.

In a tough, no-nonsense contest it was the better finishing power of the Outlaws that proved the difference with the home team running in nine tries for victory in the Conference South.

Andy Jackson and Jonny Shields came back into the starting 13, while prop Sam Andrews was drafted in for his debut.

Outlaws went ahead on six minutes when Jimmy Goodwin offloaded in the tackle on the Welsh 30-metre line but quick hands saw fleet-footed wing Shields scoot in the corner for a fine finish.

It was 10-0 when Shields converted a second try, this after George Strachan broke through and a quick play the ball saw the ball move out to loose forward Reece Needham, who showed an extra yard of pace to score under the sticks.

After a sloppy period, a lovely 20-metre flat pass from Whittle allowed big Chris Prime to latch onto the ball at pace in the centres to score a fine try for 16-0.

The game looked like it was about to boil over when the visitors had Steve Bray sin-binned. But Cougars hit back when former Outlaw Matty Wilcox broke clear and fed Dai Davies to score.

A try scoring burst by the Outlaws in the last moments of the half saw the hosts pull away from the visitors as they stretched their lead to 22 points.

First up talismanic forward Strachan hit the ball at speed and wrong-footed the defence to slice through for a superb solo, before Needham broke the line and sprinted away from fully 50 metres. Shields converted both tries for 28-6.

The opening 20 minutes of the second half was played a lot in the Outlaws half as the Cougars put pressure on the home defence without finding a way through.

Outlaws soon got back on the scoresheet when man of the match Needham completed a fine hat trick with a length of the field try that started with a quick tap by Shields, who went 70 metres.

The second Outlaws try of the half quickly followed when Oliver Crick showed excellent pace to scorch clear for another length of the field sprint before good support work by full-back Cunliffe was rewarded by a Crick pass and a try.

And when Paul Calland’s dummy released Goodwin to score, with Sheens converting, it was 44-6. Cougars hit back with a late try but Outlaws had the last word when Calland floated a pass that found winger Shields for his second try of the game.

This week sees the bulk of the squad head for Spain for the annual beach nine-a-side competition in Magaluf.

Article source: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/dec/29/rugby-union-premiership-roundup-harlequins-saracens

Outlaws rugby league stars head out to Spain in high spirits after half century