Heads up Saxon Warriors!

The annual Petersfield Round Robin brought teams from Gosport, Alton and Pulborough to Petersfield. With each Club fielding 2 teams, the Warriors found themselves competing against the other clubs strongest teams, and it was a great chance for the Saxons to apply the defensive skills they have learned this season.

The Warriors acquitted themselves well in the first game against a very strong team from Pulborough, which had two or three strong runners. Stoic tackling and well supported attacking kept Gosport Saxons in the game, until the familiar errors of running into touch and loose passing, gifted Pulborough possession and subsequent tries.

The second match was against Petersfield best, the eventual winners of the tournament, and Gosport Saxons never managed to break their defence and lost possession too often, allowing Petersfield to win convincingly.

Pleasingly though, the Warriors bounced back against Alton and played a thrilling match, only losing by a turnover.

I am proud of the Warriors performance today, you played against very strong competition and with the exception of Petersfield, you were competitive. We need to work on staying in play, protecting the ball in the tackle and safe passing.

Tom W lead well as the Captain and took the ball forward, Freddie B showed he can still dazzle with his running and scored 2 tries, well done. Liam C showed his aggressiveness in the tackle and keenness for the try line with 2 tries; Harvey showed us some of his pace and passed the ball well out of the tackle. Jamie S characteristically gave everything in the matches and was immense in attack and defence, well done. Sam C tackled and attacked well, Ryan T showed real commitment to the team, especially when I have just found out you were not well, I hope you recover over half term. Matthew T was outstanding in the tackle, often making conscutive tackles, your technique is the best in the team and you also scored a great try, well done. Ben P was right in the mix, tackling hard and keen for the ball, you made two brilliant runs which opened up the defence; avoid the touchline, cut back inside and take on the defence, you are a strong runner, well done. Conor L made some strong important tackles and carried the ball well, you also covered the ground in support and defence as well. Reece H tackled and supported well on your debut, well done.

Thank you to the parents for a great turnout, your new event shelter proved its worth; thank you for help in rigging and de-rigging it.

Next week we are at Andover for training and matches, details on Pitchero.

Tom and Elly