U11s at Luton - match report 13 Jan 08

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A day for learning - some hard lessons and some useful pointers regarding players and positions and technical things to work on in the next weeks' training. We came across a Luton side who simply played tougher in all senses and ultimately the results were just, although a couple of significant absentees may have had some impact too.

The first reaction upon getting to the ground was "where are the posts?" since the matches had been moved from their allocated spot on the main pitch according to the ground plan to the training area alongside. No posts so no conversions (so that will screw up the stats). (If anyone is interested our conversion rate is running at 80 per cent for us as opposed to the opposition's average of 66 per cent, so an extra 2 points for every 12 tries scored: every little helps)

The second reaction upon reaching our allocated spot was "is that the right opposition??" since it was clearly observable that the Luton U11s were actually bigger than their U12s! This was undoubtedly the biggest and tallest team we have yet played and so, especially in the absence of one of our two big forwards (Joe), it would mean that we would need to be at our sharpest and most intense right from the whistle. Unfortunately, we weren't!

The match did not begin well as we practically gifted a try in the first minute when we panicked after a long ball was kicked into the try area. A second Luton try came in fairly quick succession but after this, we began to regain some control. One try each was exchanged either side of half-time and a form of stalemate ensued: Luton's bigger, lumbering pack made ground through a variety of means but was hindered by insufficient mobility or ability to make the killer blows as the defence pegged them back and we failed to capitalise on the territory we gained.

Northampton Casuals were an unknown quantity though appeared at least to be much more the typical opposition we would face. The final match was an opportunity for Alex to give everyone who wanted to play a further chance to do so, as he experimented further with the positions.

The main positive after the first match was the increased performance by the forwards who responded to the coaches at the first game's half-time pep talk as well as a more intensive workout during the triangular respite. It should be noted too Ruiri's work rate throughout the day was exceptional (plus giving verbal encouragement to less experienced team-mates) - especially in the second match, where he was tackling all over the field. Seeing as a change is as good as a break, he was rewarded with a spot in the second row in the final match.

Unfortunately, however, the second and third matches were littered with a succession of silly errors especially within our "22", from which Northampton and Luton made full use, and too often the defence failed to push up sufficiently at crucial moments. Here our backs may have missed the important tackling and width given by Simon. Even so, our team was not as outplayed as the scorelines might suggest with large parts of the game played especially against Northampton on a reasonably even footing.

Match 23 v. Luton Lost 5-15 (HT 5-10)

Ellis, Calum, Peter, Lewis, Jamie, Chas, Dominic, James D, Ruiri, James W, Harry, Tim
Try:
Ellis - effective rucking and mauling brought the ball into the try area and Ellis did the necessary *

Match 24 v. Northampton Casuals Lost 0-15 (HT 0-5)

Brandon, Will, Peter, Guy, Jacob, Dom, Beth, Ru, Harry, Kate, Tom, James D

Match 25 v. Luton Lost 5-15 (HT 5-15)

Ellis, Will (sub Calum), Peter (sub Brandon), Lewis, Ru, Dom, Tim, James D, James W, Beth (sub Kate), Jamie, Harry (sub Guy)
Try:
Peter - capitalising on the pressure created once again by the forwards, Peter found a gap and, with good determination and body angle, did the necessary *

*NB as we were playing on the training ground there were no posts and therefore no conversions.