U8's Match Report Sunday

« Hitchin U12s v Cambridge 18th November | Main | U11s - Cambridge at home - match report 18 Nov 07 »

I said the "Blues" were coming, however they turned out to be yellow and red, but we all turned blue with the cold!

Match reports for the Lions (thanks to Jill)

Cambridge 9 Hitchin 6

Straight away, Alfie set off on one of his trademark runs, sidestepping his way through to score but just as quickly, Cambridge came back and levelled things. Our young side then seemed to become a little confused and struggled to make ground as they were intent on passing the ball hastily, losing distance and perhaps forgetting to do what they do best which is attack and support each other. Cambridge took advantage of this and went ahead by a couple. However the team soon regained their confidence and a fabulous exchange of passes from Jordan to Sam then out to Elliot lead to him scoring a try. Just on half time, Alfie set off again to get his second of the half and make it 4 - 3 at half time.
A combination of passes from all resulted in Elliot finding a gap to squeeze through to score again, then Rhian got himself on the score sheet with a solo effort, showing his pace down the wing. A final try from Harry L wasn't enough to catch the Cambridge A team.

Cambridge 6 Hitchin 8
This game started in the same style as the last with Elliot scoring from the start, twisting through the Cambridge players. More good passing and support play from all enabled Harry L to find his way to the line and score. Another solo effort, this time from Sam who ran nearly the length of the pitch following a turnover ball. By this time, most of us on the sidelines couldn't feel our fingers but the cold didn't seem to be affecting Alfie, who with Harry L in support, stormed through the Cambridge defence for another try. Our speedster - Rhian did it again - picked up a loose ball from deep in his own half then ran down the centre to score again, so fast that the Cambridge players and his own team mates didn't even try to keep up with him. Sam grabbed another with David in support, and just to finish things off, Harry L got his hat trick with another sweeping run to the corner flag.

Tries in total for both games
Alfie - 3
Elliot - 3
Sam - 2
Harry L- 4
Rhian - 2

Tigers scores thanks to Caroline

TIGERS 8-8 Cambridge 'B'

Niall 5
Jonathan 2
Jack 1

TIGERS 2-7 Cambridge 'A'

Niall 1
Ben S 1

TIGERS 4-5 LIONS

Niall 2
Ben S 1
Jack 1

From what I saw of the first game the Tigers played well together. The passing was good as was the support. I was very impressed with the running of Niall (I always awarded a try when Niall had the ball as there was no way I could have kept up with him even with 2 good knees!)
Simon

'Coach's Comments'

OUCH - that WAS cold!!!

Well done to everyone, players and parents, for surviving the first onset of Winter - more to come I fear!!

On Sunday we played against two very well drilled Cambridge teams and we performed really well, BOTH the Lions and the Tigers - I am proud of you all.

REMEMBER at this stage of the season it is NOT about winning every game, but HAVING FUN (well said David) and importantly taking the skills we learn in training and the warm up and trying them in games.

If they don't work straight away we just need to keep trying them and the benefits will come.

We worked a lot in the warm up on PASSING both in twos and ALONG THE LINE and you all did this very well with lots of effort - please keep it up (ask Dad or Mum to practice with you in the garden if it is not raining, or snowing!!)

REMEMBER the 'W' for holding the ball.

As we discussed, PASSING quickly to a team mate and ALONG THE LINE helps us to CREATE SPACE which leads to TRIES.

The other way to score tries is to RUN FORWARD and then SWERVE or SIDE STEP to beat the defender. You are excellent at this and this led to a number of great tries in all the matches - well done.

So when you have the ball and are running YOU have 2 options to CREATE SPACE (and score tries);

RUN FORWARD and beat the defender (Swerve or Side-step) or
RUN FORWARD and PASS (to the SUPPORT player or wide ALONG THE LINE)
You can use either or both.

Also remember, if you are the SUPPORT player SHOUT your name if you are in space and want the ball.

Another real positive from Sunday was the DEFENCE line up - you really know what your starting positions are and I am really pleased.

To develop this we need to remember our positions (1,2,3,4,5,6 or 7) are not just for the start, but ALL the time we are defending. If you stay in your position eventually the other team will head in your direction and you can get their TAG.

Alex P and Harry D demonstrated this to great success on Sunday - they stayed in their positions (1 and 5 near each touch line) and they both found that eventually the Cambridge player came towards them and they could get the tag. It is so much easier than running after the ball all the time, which leads all being bunched up and the attacking team running around our defence and scoring a try.

We will work on these areas more this Sunday in training.

Overall a really positive performance by everyone, and I mean everyone!

So much so, that the Player of the week was a really tough call. There were lots of excellent tries, lots of great support play and passing and great tagging.

This week I chose Alex Pritchard. Alex has performed at a very high level in recent weeks and I was particularly impressed on Sunday with the way he read the game and knew where to be both in the ARROW attack position - Alex created a lot of space by standing wide on the touchline ready for the ball to come along the line - and in DEFENCE. Alex defended his area of the pitch (DEFENCE 5) really well, staying in position and allowing the Cambridge team to come to him, rather than running after the Cambridge attacker. An excellent example to others Alex - very well done.

This Sunday we are training at home. It looks like it is going to be cold again, so please make sure you have plenty of warm clothes;

T-shirt or thermal under your rugby top
thermal bottoms or tracksuit bottoms as well as rugby shorts
gloves
woolly hat
fleece and/ or coat (for when we're not running around)
something to drink and a banana/ other snack
Hot flask for Mum or Dad
See you Sunday 10.15 to be ready and tagged for 10.30

Eric