Match Report

Today saw a lovely crisp morning produce some lovely crisp rugby.

After a quick warm-up, we worked through some basic contact drills to get us in the mood for the real thing. We then moved in to playing 3 squad matches against Fordingbridge.

Each match produced some great individual performances, if not great team performances.

3 lessons which we must all learn from today:

Tackling : Miss a tackle and you’re as good as offering the opposition a try. At best you’re forcing your team mates to move out of position to cover your error. We shouldn’t be missing tackles at this stage lads. Keep 'em low and drive them over. Don't be suckered in by dummies and side-steps - watch his body not the ball and commit to the tackle.

Supporting : Lots of lads ran great lines today (esp Ben and Jaff, but also Max, Henry and Tim). But no good making ground from these individual runs if you don't back the lads up - they get tackled and without support the ball will be turned over to the opposition. Get used to backing your team mates up, running complementary lines (ie off their shoulders running towards space in the defence) even if you think they'll probably score.

Driving : If in doubt in any ruck or maul, drop your shoulders and drive your legs. (Tom standout performance in this regard today). Other forwards stood around watching. No forward has the right to wait for the ball to emerge – you must either be wrestling it out (hands on the ball, shoulders being used to force the ball to be released to you) or you’re driving forward. Backs who arrive as the first player to the break down must also commit to the ruck and drive. Equally, we should know better than to run into tackles upright; you’re easily stopped and will leave the ball to be easily plucked away from you. Drop your shoulders and smash the tackler. You’ll either go through the tackle or you’ll be stopped in a position which allows you options to recycle and protect the ball.

Lots of great stuff today – but lets learn these lessons.

Good festival rugby today lads. Well done.

Mike