Post Match Review - 14th March 2010

Walney v Hawcoat Storm 8s (Lost 5-4)

A brilliant display from each and every one of our 8s this morning. The established players certainly didn’t disappoint with straight, unglamorous but necessary and effective running from Pos, William and LJ setting the platform for mazy runs from Spencer and Sprinkler. To end the game one try behind a very good Walney squad is testament to the team performance that we put on. Big games from Morgan, Max and Sam and Steph again showing her versatility covering the gaps that would normally have been marshalled by our missing troops. Enthusiasm to run with the ball didn’t let up and we scored 4 tries as a result. You are all surpassing any expectations we had for such a young squad, keep it going! Our confidence to pass the ball will grow from game to game but positioning at the play the ball area was massively improved this week. We need to be brave in defence and complete the tackles as quickly and effectively as we can. A big mention to Harvey Coops here who week after week continues to put in the big hits regardless of the size of opponent. The one on one at the beginning of the second half was text book and a good display of how these kids are already putting their bodies on the line for their team mates. DEFENCE WINS GAMES.

Walney v Hawcoat Storm 10s (Lost 8-4)

Had we played as the unit we were against Roose last week then the result may have been closer. Had we grounded the ball cleanly when we’d done all the hard work to cross the line on two occasions it would certainly have been closer. The team now know that despite the usual fantastic displays of individual brilliance there is nothing effective about playing as individuals. It’s hard to single anyone out as despite everyone showing what they were capable of they did so as individuals. However, Elliott ran his blood to water and despite being out on his feet drove the ball in again and again and had Matty not had the speed and skill to not only defend his half of the pitch but the other half his team mates had left unattended it would have been much worse. Let’s analyse where we can improve. If we consistently defend 50% of the pitch the we can expect our opponents to score 50% more points than us (see scoreline). If the kids are static on the defensive line instead of moving up to the marker once the ball is passed then we are constantly on the back foot (and have been told that they will be substituted.) Today’s display was not how we play our game and not what we practiced on Friday. We need to come together as the cohesive unit I keep mentioning because we are individually very good but today we were weak as a team. We need to play together and do what we do at training on game day. All credit to Walney who, as expected, restricted our attacking options by moving off the line quickly, maintaining their width and tackling ferociously (a lot like we did last week.)

10s Player Numbers

Substitutions with 18 players are not the easiest thing in the world to monitor as those behind the subs area would have seen. I insist that we continue to play all of our 10s regardless of ability and available numbers because that’s what we’re all about and that’s why we have such a close knit club where individuals can grow at their own pace. We do not have the luxury of being able to analyse who has and who has not been on and off and player’s time on the pitch may vary. If anyone has an issue with this then please speak to me because this is what we are doing for the rest of the season and it will not change. I had assumed that everyone would be happy with the arrangement where everyone got on the pitch as was tabled at the pre season meeting. For the benefit of those who did not attend the pre season parent’s meeting we all agreed that we will give everyone a run who attended training the week before but we must maintain a competitive side on the pitch. Thanks for your continued support.

Mark

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