Stockwood Park Match Report

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What a morning!!!! The Leighton Buzzard game was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch, so we took two teams over to Stockwood Park. The rain from the week continued and the pitch became virtually unplayable, but we battled on. Joining us at Stockwood Park were also Bedford so it meant each of our teams would get two matches, however things never go according to plan……. Half way through the morning Stockwood Park decided they only wanted to play one match against our teams, but we managed to get another match arranged for the Panthers against Bedford. Considering the conditions we played some excellent rugby, won three matches and narrowly lost the other.

Hitchin Panthers v Bedford: Won 7-5

The Panthers started quickly in their first game and established an early 3-0 lead. There were two excellent individual scores by Ethan B and Connor followed by a well worked team try for Connor which was created by good running and passing by Alfie and Alex. Bedford got back into the game with two good tries but we finished the half strongly when Ethan B crossed for his second try. The second half was evenly contested with both teams playing some good rugby in the driving rain! There was some excellent passing and support play by Laurence and Milly early in the half, which created a fine try for Connor to extend our lead. Bedford then had a good period of play and we had to defend well with some excellent tagging by Harry, Connor and Jamie. Although Bedford got a couple of scores we were always in control and two further tries by Ethan B and Connor settled the match.

Hitchin Jaguars v Stockwood Park: Lost 7-9

This was a very high scoring game with both teams playing some excellent attacking rugby. Stockwood Park started well and scored three good tries, but the Jaguars responded quickly and scored two good tries of their own. The first was a fine individual try for Ethan L and the second was an excellent team try for Rory following some good support and passing by Naomh and Holly. The scores continued in the second half, Rory scored a fine try with an excellent run and then Holly rounded off a good team move following some excellent support play by Dylan and Ethan L. Stockwood Park then had a good period of play where they scored a couple of tries but there was some good tagging by Joshua and Jacob. We then finished the game strongly and there were three good tries; the first by Ethan L showing some good running and dodging, the second by Rory following a fine run by Kai and the third by Dylan after some good support by Holly. In the end it just wasn't enough as Stockwood Park scored two late scores to win the game.

Hitchin Jaguars v Bedford: Won 7-4

This was an excellent performance by the Jaguars. After missing out in their first game the team responded well and won this game comfortably. The Jaguars started really well and built up a 4-1 lead by half time, with Ethan L scoring three excellent tries. Twice Ethan L scored fine individual tries, by using his pace to out run the defence and score in the corner. Then Jacob scored after some good running by Rory and this was followed by a fine team try for Ethan L after some excellent passing and support play by Holly and Dylan. The second half was a lot tighter and Bedford had more ball so we had to defend well at times and there was some good tagging by Naomh and Dylan. However, when we had the ball we always looked dangerous and we created three further tries. Jacob scored his second try following a fine pass from Rory and then Naomh scored an excellent individual try. Bedford responded well with three tries of their own but we had the final score when Ethan L scored his fourth try of the match after some good running and passing by Kai and Rory.

Hitchin Panthers v Bedford: Won 7-5

We finished the morning strongly with another good win and I was very pleased with the performance as the pitch had deteriorated so much there was no grass left, just mud and water!!!! Considering the conditions both sets of players did well to play any sort of rugby. Again we started well and built a quick lead with two tries a piece by Connor and Harry. The first two were fine individual scores and the second two were excellent team tries following good support play by Frank, Milly and Alex. Bedford scored two good tries in response so at half time we led 4-2. The second half was much the same with both teams creating chances and Bedford scored two quick tries to level the scores. However, we finished the match stronger with Connor scoring a further three tries. The first was created by a fine run from Ethan B from our own half, he was tagged just before the line but through out an excellent long pass for Connor to score in the corner. The other two were created following good running and passing by Harry and Laurence with Connor supporting well to finish off the moves.

Tries: Ethan B (3), Connor (9), Harry (2), Ethan L (6), Holly, Naomh, Rory (3), Jacob (2) and Dylan.

Another week of rain and mud, but at least we got some rugby. I was really pleased with the players enthusiasm and effort during the morning and it was great to see them play so well for the second week running, especially considering the conditions. We mixed up the teams this week as we had intended to have matches at two different venues, so both teams had a blend of experience and new players. Both teams played some really good attacking rugby and we made very few handling errors throughout the four matches even though the ball was like ‘a bar of soap’ at times. Well done to all the players.

Congratulations goes to Jacob Knightley and Joshua Clark who played their first games for us and I hope you enjoyed yourselves. The weather and pitches are not always that bad!!!!

This week we did not award a ‘Player of the Week’ as due to the change in playing schedule the Panthers had to wait until the end of the morning to play their second game and therefore a number of the Jaguar players had left before the end, to try and get warm and clean!!!. However, I would like to mention a few players who I thought performed really well this week; From the Panthers two of our experienced players played exceptionally well this week Connor Dudley and Ethan Brace. Connor scored a remarkable nine tries in just two games and showed some excellent support play throughout both matches, while Ethan had some fine runs, created a number of tries and also scored three tries himself. From the Jaguars I was most impressed with Rory Fookes, Ethan Lavaille and Dylan Crofton. Rory had a great all round performance both in defence and attack, he made a number of tags, supported well and scored three tries. Dylan had two excellent games showing good passing, tagging and running skills, he scored one try and created a number of others, whilst Ethan scored six excellent tries most of which were fine individual scores after great running and dodging.

Sunday 16th December
This week we have training at the club at 10.30am, however, this is no ordinary training session. As mentioned previously I intend to run a series of small sided games / matches during the morning. All players are welcome to take part including the younger players from the U6 age group. We will mix up the experienced and less experienced players into teams and play a number of 5 or 7 a side matches during the morning and see which team comes out on top!!!! Please Note: In order to plan this session I need to know which players will be attending. If you would like to be involved in these games and have not advised me of your availability please let me know – the teams will be selected this week prior to Sundays session.

See you all on Sunday.

Regards

Andy Dudley
Hitchin U7’s Coach
07803 160382