Back to Business

With our previous two fixtures cancelled by opponents at the last minute, the U12 mob were chomping at the proverbial bit to get going again. Their unfortunate opponents, who were to bear the brunt of three weekends of frustration, came in the form of local rivals Gordano.

The score line would suggest a hugely one sided game, whereas in actual fact it was far more even than you would imagine. The Scrummaging was a little hit and miss from both teams and eventually had to become uncontested for the safety of all involved. Lineout’s generally went with the throw and the contest on the deck was also too close to call, with good examples of ball retention from both sides. There were also fantastic passages of passing from everyone providing plenty of entertainment for the sizable and boisterous attendance. Games, even those with big score lines, are often won or lost by small margins and this was no exception. On the day Clevedon were very slightly faster, slightly stronger, a little more determined and very efficient at capitalising on their opportunities. Whilst they made the most of their ability to finish, Gordano just couldn’t quite manage to get things going as they would have liked, and when they did, an heroic last ditch tackle or a pesky corner flag would intervene to thwart them!!!

So all in all, great to get back to the action and well deserved smiles all round for the players, but without doubt there will be far sterner tests ahead. We have to understand that tackling as individuals is no longer enough. We need to defend together, ALL of us (that is ALL – if you didn’t quite catch that) if we are to get back to the inspiring form shown at the tail end of 2014. In attack, unfortunately all too often individuals chose to go it alone when it was a fantastic opportunity to really get the ball moving through the hands. There was one jaw dropping example of what can be achieved if you all play for each other. The ball was eventually delivered across the line by “Ram Raid Rudsta-sta-sta” but the build up saw the ball transferred across the three quarter line 3 times from wing to wing and a bit of forward offloading for good measure as well. A try is 5 points no matter how you get there, but some are just a little sexier than others! It’s this type of play that will get you across the line no matter who the opponent.

Some highlights included : New signing and man of the match Tyler Leaman flying across the whitewash for a couple of trys, his first ever in this great game. Just rewards for dynamo Luke his excellent work in the loose saw him bundle over after ripping the ball (and Rudy) from a maul. The deadly duo of Samuel and David are forming an exciting partnership in the 2nd row. Adam had his best outing by far, helping out on the tackle front, keeping the ball alive and even managing to catch Macs unorthodox 30yd one handed quarterback sling! Mccauly grabbed a fantastic hatrick and at long last is now seemingly back to his dynamic best and playing with a cheeky smile on his face. Hopefully however, with the imminent start of the six nations, that smile will have been well and truly wiped off his little Welsh mug by the time I see him next, because mighty England have reigned supreme in their backyard, with an outstanding masterclass from young George Ford………… that’s what I’m dreaming of anyhow!!!! The only certainty is the game will be decided on small margins and that one of us will be very grumpy come Sunday morning!