Couldn’t Catch A Cold!

The second game of our triangular morning pit us against a WSM side for the 3rd time this season. And as with our previous encounters we just about managed to put enough together to overcome a team which has drastically improved since our first meeting back in September 2013.

In all honesty our poor basic handling continued throughout the game, gifting the opposition opportunity after opportunity and contributing to a very stop start and stagnant contest. Weston to their credit also made it hard for us at the breakdown with some excellent technical rucking and breaking up any flow we did get going. Of course it wasn’t all bad – our tackling continued and if we can take this on a further notch it could become stuff of legend, although if we just tried to hit 6 inches lower we would do ourselves a huge favour. Referees appreciate the odd high tackle may occur – not acceptable, but may occur. However then when it continues and from a number of the team not just one individual, then that’s just going to annoy him! All of a sudden all 50/50 decisions will go the other way and then we’re in a downward spiral. So keep up the effort in defence but keep the hit south of the armpit please gentlemen.

Although as a team we didn’t quite gel, individually there were some great moments. Rich glided round the outside, almost effortlessly. The tornado appeared from the loose and darted over the line courtesy of some customary gas and an enormous “hand off” – back yourself mate your pace would have got you there and if not there was support on its way. The referee didn’t see it this time and had I been in the middle I would have definitely penalised it which no doubt would have been met with varying degrees of sour facedness from players and parents alike!!!! But the moment of the game was saved for some magic from our very own welsh wizard. From a restart he nonchalantly trapped the ball with his foot before picking up and setting off at such a pace we will have to play the video in slo-mo just to see him! A number of swerves and side steps later and he was in the try zone punching the air and accepting the complementary high fives……once they caught up. The thing is this guy has only just realised that a ball shouldn’t be round and only joined from the dark side (football) a matter of months ago. During this short period his progression in the “great game” has been remarkable. His try on Sunday was great in isolation, however picking the ball up with the whole of the opposition in front of him and coming off with a try is actually not that unusual for him! Now we are not all blessed with the pace and spatial awareness of Mcauly, but I should also mention his passion. When he misses a tackle, it’s as if he just crashed his dream car. When I sub him, it’s as if I just shot him. And when he scores it’s as if he’s just won the world cup! So, we might not have his pace……but we could all at least try and care as much as our very own Leigh Halfpenny.

And so, not unlike many of their school reports, the conclusion is ……satisfactory but get easily distracted and could do so much better if they concentrated and listened in class !!!