U11s - Leighton Buzzard at home - match report 9 Mar 08

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Three disciplined performances. Three wins. Three clean sheets. Three Hitchin tries in each game with three forwards and three backs scoring. Need more be said? Job done – once, twice, three times.
NB Cambridge squad information is included at the end of the report.

The squad built on the excellent performances from the previous week and although, to be brutally honest, Leighton Buzzard were not the strongest opposition we would face this season, they would not roll over and still needed to be approached in the proper manner. It was gratifying to see a real willingness on Buzzard’s part to battle for everything right to the end. Even in the final match when the result was not in question Buzzard made their most spirited effort to push over the line but we held them and forced it down thus denying them their best – only? – chance of the day.

Yet again we started sluggishly, spending most of our time in the wrong half of the pitch, and it took most of the first half to assess the opposition’s tactics and then get on top of the situation. Buzzard were making it awkward for us: in the forwards there was incessant offside and in the backs they were running across their lines, mainly trying to avoid being hit in the tackle, and initially this created some confusion in our own ranks. The highlight of the half was an effort by Ruiri to break through and he came close to breaking through the tackles but came up short and only made the touchline with a second movement.

The key was to impose ourselves with some aggression and in the second half this was exactly what we did. Increasingly we gained control at the breakdown area as the forwards imposed themselves – and there were plenty of opportunities to get stuck in and peel off the opposition as Buzzard were going offside incessantly –and dominated in the scrum especially as we pushed Buzzard off the park. The backs were moving up quickly too, putting Buzzard under pressure when the ball did come out, but kicks out of hand were caught well (Tim shone out especially in the full-back position) and as the matches went on our confidence grew and we were looking to run the ball back hard and fast.

Leighton Buzzard had a small squad with only a couple of players on the bench so, given our dominance in the first match, Alex was able to experiment even more than usual with positions in the second and third matches. Nonetheless there was no let-up and we maintained the pressure with disciplined performances. The backs were passing well and running good angles to stretch the Buzzard defence and our forwards continued to control the scrum and breakdown. Chas had one of his best performances mixing up passing and running with keen tackling and was denied a scrum half ‘s try when held up at the line.

The forward pack emphatically established its dominance especially in the scrum when once we gave away a penalty for pushing too far. Though we don’t normally want to give away penalties, on this occasion it served the serious purpose of intent. A couple of the forwards’ performances were especially notable. Ellis intelligently stood off to receive the ball from the scrum-half to gain valuable yards whilst the Buzzard forwards were on the deck. And Lewis continued to innovate ways of tenderising the forwards’ ribs in the lineout especially and left his oppo bemused as to why he was being picked out for such special treatment. Sport can be a hard taskmaster sometimes.

Match 33 v. Leighton Buzzard Won 21-0 (HT 0-0)
Ellis, Will N, Peter, Jamie, Lewis, Harry, Dominic, James W, Ruiri, Simon, Beth, Tim

Tries:
Ellis – although we lost the ball in the lineout we regained it in the loose and then it was full steam ahead down the line for 30 yards (con: Peter)
Simon – Ruiri drew two defenders and then made a neat offload although it took a stunning one-handed take on the move from behind his body by Simon to make the try (con: Dom)
Harry – Jamie made the ground initially to 10 metres out and it was then cleared out to leave Harry to scoop up and move neatly around. A just reward for Harry for an excellent day’s work. (con: Peter)

Match 34 v. Leighton Buzzard Won 19-0 (HT 5-0)
Joe, Guy, Brandon, Calum, Jamie, Chas, Simon, James D, Tim, Will T, Kate, Harry

Tries:
Simon – a typical lively dodging effort taking the ball in midfield and found space towards the wing and then a straight run.
Guy – cleared out and slotted through the forwards with a big effort to ground the ball despite a couple of defenders clinging on (con. Guy)
Calum – a superb effort by Harry from the kick off when he caught the ball at full pace and ran through the astonished LB forwards to almost make it through but passed out to Calum to take the final 5 metres (con. Guy)

Match 35 v. Leighton Buzzard Won 19-0 (HT 14-0)
Ellis, Guy, Peter, Calum, Lewis, Chas, Dom, Rui, James W, Will T, Tom, James D

Tries;
Ruiri – kick to gain ground followed up by Dom who got close but picked up by Rui at the breakdown and twisted neatly over the line in the tackle (con. Peter)
Rui – a crunching, perfectly timed tackle by Ellis on his opposite “big guy” who spilled the ball for Ruiri to pick up and go over (con. Guy)
Rui – big yardage was made initially by Dom from a big kick to midfield chased by Rui putting pressure on Buzzard to fly-hack the ball away; Rui once again picked up the ball from the maul at breakdown that followed the penalty.

Cambridge Festival

The following information has been circulated by e-mail as well to all parents (that have notified me of their e-mail address at least). I apologise that I wasn’t able to get this to you sooner but I’m sure you’ll appreciate that Alex has had more pressing things on his mind this past week.

The squad that has been selected for Cambridge, and likely positions, are as follows:

Forwards
Ellis
Peter
Joe
Lewis
Jamie

"Utility" (forward or back)
Guy
Calum
Brandon

Half-backs
Harry
Dominic

Backs
James W
James D
Ruiri
Simon
Beth
Tim

As you can imagine the selection was not an easy task and was based on several factors including performance during the course of the season (in matches as well as training) and availability (so don’t assume it will necessarily be exactly the same names for the County festival – more on that in the near future). Also if your child has not been selected don’t feel you’ll be unwelcome to come along and support the team.

It doesn’t need saying I’m sure, but it is probably worth reminding that we will definitely be playing five tough matches on Sunday. That means it is vital that your child is well fed and watered both before we begin and kept up during the day, else it could be a long way to go for little taking part. Suggested preparation is: eat plenty of carbs the night before (pasta is ideal but also rice or potatoes); ensure a good breakfast of cereal and toast (with jam, honey etc) and bring (high energy) snacks to eat during the day (Andy and I will no doubt have an emergency supply of Jaffa cakes and Mars bars) plus drink little and often (to avoid feeling overfull).

First match starts at 10.30 but we need everyone there before 10.00 to ensure registration. we don't have a running order unfortunately.