U11s - Datchworth at home* - match report 16 Dec 07

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How prophetic Alex's cheery morning greeting was: "We won't know how to function if it's not raining!!" After the hardships of the previous two weeks, we had almost perfect conditions. Unfortunately our players seemed to be suckered by this and took their foot off the pedal, going down twice to a very evenly matched Datchworth team.

These matches effectively marked the half way point of the season and were a bit of a wake-up call. It was hard to say really quite what did or didn't happen. Andy was adamant that Colin had caused our downfall before we had even begun by agreeing with the Datchworth coach to widen the pitch (though it was perfectly understandable in circumstances to get a little carried away given the terrific standard of facilities on offer). In reality the width of the pitch had no real impact (never thought it would) as we were generally outfought and out-thought just that little bit more by a team that at least matched us in all departments of the game.

The margins were undoubtedly small but it's increasingly the little things that make the difference. It was noticeable that whilst the work-rate was still high (even on what was a freezing day there were plenty of red faces and gasping of breath) there was something almost indescribably not quite there. Small margins. Too many times our forwards took the ball into contact but failed to secure it and too many times the backs missed tackles and failed to move the ball effectively enough to escape from their own half. And although too often Datchworth were allowed to go around the side to steal the ball, where they had an edge on us was in talking to each other in the rucks and mauls especially. Their pack was not noticeably larger than ours but stuck to their drill well.

One area of note where Datchworth were more effective was in the scrum, where their superior technique paid dividends, driving in at a lower angle. However, here we were able to come away with some positive aspects when after the matches we were able to take advantage of the specialist tuition from two of the St Christopher's teachers with the aid of a scrummage machine. It was surprising just how much could be learnt in only a short time - not just the players but the coaches too - and it's a safe bet that we will be looking to capitalise on this potential resource in the New Year.

There was only one real breakaway try by Datchworth and that was down to some individual brilliance through the middle of the pitch (note - not down the widened sides!). For our part there were some good individual runs though increasingly these were as much relieving pressure on our line. On occasion we were too keen to attempt to pass and run the ball out of defence though this had the effect of putting team mates under pressure, but that is the balance to be struck that comes only from experience. On the other hand, while we might have preferred to have been down the other end of the pitch, the players deserve credit for the countless number of times they successfully managed to hold up the ball once Datchworth had scrimmaged and mauled their way over our try line. Small margins indeed.

But overall perhaps this paints too bleak a picture: these were two well matched sides and there was lots of enterprising play by both sides. On another day, with different fortunes around some of the individual decisions and a greater overall level of determination - of the sort we have seen in recent weeks - the result could easily have gone another way. And wouldn't you know but, not only will there be an almost immediate opportunity to correct this, with a match scheduled on 24 February, but Datchworth enjoyed the day so much (yeah, right) that by the time I got back home and had managed to switch on the PC they had suggested repeating this one-off.

Finally a lesson for the coaches - if you are going to arrange to play in a ground remote from the rest of your family with their cars, make sure you have arranged for someone to give you a lift back well in advance of leaving said ground (that's a message for Alex and Andy).


Match 18 v. Datchworth Lost 5-14 (HT 5-7)
Ellis, Calum, Peter (Joe), Lewis, Jamie, Harry, Dominic, James D, Ruiri, Simon, James W, Tim
Try: Ruiri - a superb team try that was long in the making. Started off with Simon making a cracking tackle well into our half, from which the ball came loose and was followed up by a succession of forwards - Peter then Jamie and finally Ellis who made the decisive break of around 30 yards to a further maul out of which came Simon and although he might have made it to the try line, he wisely saw that Ruiri was better placed so he popped up the ball to him with a few yards to go and it was easily over.

Match 19 v. Datchworth Lost 7-21 (HT 0-0)
Joe, Will, Brandon, Guy (Ellis), Lewis (Peter), Harry (Dom), Beth, Jamie (Guy), Ru (Tim), Kate, Simon (Calum), James D (James W)
Try: Ellis - restored some pride with a very well deserved try running down the touch line, staying inside the line just and dived in. (It must have been in as Stato was running the line and he is totally impartial: it's his job.)
Con: Guy


At week 16 - the half-way point through the season - we have now had 8 training sessions and 8 matchdays.
Played 19; Won 8; Drawn 3; Lost 8; Points for 190; points against 153


Next Sunday. Don't forget we plan to put on an extra training session. Think of it as making up for the one we effectively lost by playing Datchworth, but we hope that we may get some extra help so it should be a good, proper session. Afterwards there will be a special festive meal. There will be a small charge (£5) for this per person so don't forget to bring your cash, and we hope the bar will be open too.

*When we say "home" we really mean our "alternative home" at St Christopher's School, Letchworth, prizewinner for the most welcoming ground of the year award.