Under 09

Wilmslow 4 - Sandbach 0 Sun 15 November 2009 1st Team Match Reports  Two hard fought games against a very physical Wilmslow team. Playing in difficult conditions, on a small pitch (with a wicked slope) the boys were really put to the test. Once again we started slowly and we were 3-0 down by half time. The intensity of the Wilmslow team simply took us by surprise. Their boys were much bigger than us and they had two or three exceptional lads who caused us real problems. However, the second half was a different story. Playing down the slope and with a renewed determination the boys really stepped up. They tackled like gladiators and matched the aggression of Wilmslow! This level of performance continued into the second game. Whilst it was another defeat, all of Wilmslow’s tries came late on with them playing down the slope. I have to say the score line flattered them. This fixture has taught us many things:   1)      We have to compete right from the kick off through to the final whistle. 2)      We have to be focused and we have to be physical. Making a big driving tackle is as important as making a break. A number of times we were driving backwards because of the tackle, which led to a turnover and ultimately it gave them space to exploit. 3)      We have to support our team mates. For the last three halves, we were rucking as a unit. Some of the clearing out was awesome! When we rucked and mauled as a unit we made progress and won the ball. When we allowed one player to become isolated we were driven backwards. 4)      We have to stay in position and we have to defend as a line. 5)      We need to make better decisions. Passing to a player who is under pressure, or throwing long passes which go to ground, simply gives the opposition an advantage. Sometimes we just need to take the tackle and allow support to come. We are learning loads at the moment. This is a real step up from Tag. It is faster, there is greater continuity, and it hurts!  We have had a tough start to the season playing two of the best teams in Cheshire in Lymm & Wilmslow. We have given good accounts of ourselves. I am very proud of everyone! We are making really good progress. Please keep it up!! Next week is training. We will be working on our structure. We are going to focus on decision making and positional play. Player of the week:  Kofi Esegbona   Andy (coach)  __________________________________________________ Game 1   Wilmslow 3 - 0 Sandbach   Tacklers: Rai Bennett: 13 Alex Bishop: 12 Max Clayton-Barker: 7 Rhys John: 7 Hal Dearnaley: 5 Nathan Almond: 3 George Cole: 3 Taylor Scott: 2 Kofi Esegbona: 1  ___________________________________________ Game 2 Wilmslow 3 - 0  Sandbach  Tacklers: Rai Bennett: 17 Alex Bishop: 14 Max Clayton-Barker: 11 Rhys John: 11 Kofi Esegbona: 7 Guy Cooke: 4 Jimmy Bebbington: 2 George Cole: 2 Hal Dearnaley: 2 Nathan Almond: 1   _______________________________________________   Second Team Match Reports:  2nd team game one:  Wilmslow 4 – 3 Sandbach 2nd   A fantastic display this morning from the 2nd team. Game one was definitely, as they say, “a game of two halves”. Our boys took the lead early on but then conceded a sloppy try almost straight from the restart. However, we got straight back at them and took a well deserved 3-1 lead into half time.The second half was always going to be tough playing up hill in heavy conditions and unfortunately we could not hold on to our lead with Wilmslow running in 3 second half scores.   Try scorer: Greg Wilkes: 3    Top Tacklers: Jimmy Bebbington: 8 Callum Alton: 5 Joe Curwen: 4 Jarvis Joyce: 3 Oliver Grice: 2 Matthew Murray: 2 Greg Wilkes: 2 George Chaytors: 1 Harrison King: 1   ______________________________________________    2nd team game two:  Wilmslow 2-1 Sandbach 2nd   This game followed a similar pattern to game one with our boys going over to score an early try. With some determined defensive play we held on to our lead up to the break, but again,  as in game one, playing up hill in the second half took its toll with Wilmslow scoring twice. A big push towards the end of the game by the seconds but unfortunately we still await that first win.              Try scorer: Joe Curwen: 1    Top Tacklers: Greg Wilkes: 6 Callum Alton: 4 Jimmy Bebbington: 4 George Chaytors: 3 Oliver Grice: 2 Jarvis Joyce: 2 Joe Curwen: 1     Overview:  Today it was an absolute pleasure to coach the seconds. The difference in today’s  performance was amazing to see. There was a determination from everyone and all the lads looked like they wanted to play for each other.  The tackling in both games this morning was 100% better than in previous games and there was a determination from every player to be involved and work for each other. There are still things to work on.  ·        We need to learn to off load the ball to team mates earlier rather than trying to beat that extra man and becoming isolated, often resulting in us losing the ball. ·        We need to learn that if we get tackled, if there is not a pass on we set the ball up, not just throw the ball backwards in the hope that we keep it. ·        And possibly most important of all we need to stay focused for the whole game, this alone maybe cost us our first win today.    Well done to everyone who played for the seconds today I am extremely proud of you all. If we can work on the above I am sure sooner rather than later we will get that elusive first win. Who knows it could be against the first team next week. Look out boys!  Player of the week -  Callum Alton       Matt (coach)