Too Little, Too Late.

Apologies for the belated report but I’ve only just managed to crawl pathetically from my stinking cave after suffering the worst case of “Man Flu” ever recorded! Unfortunately this terrible condition has given me ample time to mull over Sundays debacle as I’ve slipped in and out of consciousness. I’ve weighed up every angle and argument and in the end it can only come down to one thing ………pure unadulterated laziness!

There’s an old rugby saying:
“Forwards win games………Backs decide by how much”.

There isn’t a forward in the world that wouldn’t wholeheartedly subscribe to that. However I’m sure there are some backs out there that would/could argue a good case against. If by chance one was passing Yatton Rugby Club last Sunday morning and took a passing interest in the U12’s contest they wouldn’t only agree with that saying they would ask, what forwards? (in the case of Clevedon). Harsh perhaps? But I have spent much time praising our magnificent pack of forwards in the past. Pre Christmas they were dominant, aggressive, relentless and unselfish. However 2015 gave birth to the “Xboxed, turkey stuffed, sofa sloth” which is a distant resemblance of its former self. Scared to tackle. Too tired to run. Too cold to care.

I don’t want to take anything away from the opposition, Yatton were a very decent and honest outfit. They played to their strengths and very much deserved their victory. It’s usually pretty tight against these chaps and a late resurgence by Clevedon led to the scorelines being far closer than in reality the game ever was. In fact there was even a point where a draw looked a possibility but sadly a couple of individual errors dashed that opportunity.

Rugby is a state of mind as much as anything else. If you don’t step on to the field with the right attitude you will not perform the tasks necessary from your position, for your team. And unfortunately that’s what we saw at the weekend. There was a lot of silliness and immaturity during teamtalks – not acceptable. Yatton would often run through 5 or 6 outstretched flapping arms before someone with a bit of courage stepped in and made a tackle – not acceptable. There was more enthusiasm and energy in the bar afterwards as individuals threw insults towards their rivals who’d just soundly beaten them – not acceptable. I haven’t the energy to continue but suffice to say if the forwards don’t start using their shoulders to tackle, instead of going for the “Tom Daley – oh I really tried honestly to tackle him” award, and if the forwards don’t start using their shoulders to drive scrums and rucks instead of their fingernails it’s going to be a very long and arduous season.

Was it all bad? No of course not………….There was a great little comeback from Luke after many weeks out. A promising debut from Tyler Leaman. Standout energy and commitment from Tyler Munn who even guested in the pack to try and get the lazy gang moving! And it probley wasn’t anywhere near as poor as I’m remembering. The trouble is we left 2014 in a very good place and I was genuinely excited about our next steps, however unfortunately those steps are going to have to be backwards! It’s back to basics – right back, and start again. We have to start tackling like we did last year, when quality sides found it really hard to get through us. Nothing more complicated than that! If you tackle, sides don’t score and we’re in with a chance. So tackle shoulders at the ready, no excuses, no “pity me lemon sucking faces”, see you all Sunday, Oh ………. and do everyone a favour and leave the cocky teen attitude at home, the coaches, your teammates, parents, referee and opposition deserve some RESPECT.