Slippery when wet!

This was a fixture arranged at late notice against WSM, under the guise of a “training” game. The idea being we could work on positional sense, encourage tackling and promote passing and teamwork. Then it rained.....very, very hard, drowning out players and support alike.

Despite the weather it gave me a great opportunity to be on the pitch and point out where players should be stood and think about decisions. Credit must go out to all the guys who generally and genuinely didn’t complain too much at all, well not to me at least! Due to the poor conditions we decided to referee as loosely as we could to encourage as much rugby as possible. This led to a deluge of advantage played and it was our troops that dealt with it best eventually running out 5-3 winners. To be honest the sides were very evenly matched and it could have been a different story if not for the general all round improvement on the tackling front. Our tackling has improved massively in the last few weeks. The usual accomplished “big hitters” are still doing the dirty work (well done wreckin crew) but all of a sudden they were getting a superb helping hand from the group formally known as the “lazy, scaredy cat, I’m not getting dirty, I can’t be bothered, don’t want to ruin my manicure, I’ll make it look like I’m trying to tackle”, gang!!!!!!! I was very impressed with the hits coming from all players, and I mean all, well done guys this is what won the game. Notably Tyler (wearing shorts for the first time ever and thus proving he does have legs), Jlo, Olly, Mini Mac......I could go on it really was all of you, awesome.

Disappointingly our scrummage was dodgy from start to finish, which is not only dangerous but gives the ball away and considering our size this should be a dominant part of our game – don’t be lazy in the scrum, it’s such an important part of the game. Something to work on in training. Another downside was the lack of teamwork and decision making at the breakdown. We spent a good half an hour on ruck play before the match but unfortunately this didn’t translate into the game. Please watch Rugby highlights on the TV and pay attention to this area, it involves everybody – if in doubt get low, grab a man and drive over the ball. Don’t stand there watching and waiting for Jeeves to bring the ball to you on a silver platter!

Then the Rain stopped, the clouds split, and as if touched by god, a beam of sunlight engulfed a small green patch of grass in Northern Somerset! This celestial intervention caused a series of minor miracles. Mac ran towards the most opposition players he could find, but instead of the usual “head down until I lose the ball” he turned and passed.......yes, he turned and passed. Two more passes later, and “Upright” Rudy had the chance to mess it all up, but for once he passed BEFORE he was taken down! Play continued involving the whole back line followed by a loop from Ricardous “the fleet of foot”, who unselfishly passed the final yard for TT to finish a quite sublime passage of play with a jink and a step across the whitewash. I think in the amazement of what I was witnessing a single tear of joy rolled down my cheek, or it may have been rain! Anyhow this was without doubt the best rugby this team has ever produced. Was it hard to do? No. Was it luck? We will have to wait and see. Did it make the day worthwhile for the sodden coaches, supporters and players……it sure did. Well done, hopefully we could all hear the penny dropping (All tackle in defence, All pass in attack – Simples).

Unfortunately I will not be present for the next three weeks as I have some important “charity” work to attend to!!!! Parents and players please give your support and involvement to the new look “slimmer” coaching staff, and be patient regarding game notifications as I will do my best from my sunbed…..I mean missionary camp! Good luck we have two really hard games coming up and will need to be at our best to compete. I look forward to the reports back.