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Colts A v Cranleigh. Won 14-7
On a day glorious for cricket, the As made up for deficiencies in technique with outstandingly wholehearted commitment in the loose and usually in the tackle. Two solo efforts should have been complemented with team tries, but the final pass went astray or was given too late. The forwards worked hard, but must release second phase more quickly, and the backs need to improve their defensive and offensive alignment. Nevertheless, a well deserved win at the end of a bruising encounter, and there is much that we can build upon.
Colts A v The Beacon Under 11 B (won 38-0)
The school was kept in during morning break as the heavens opened to the sound of thunder and the crashes and flashes of lightning, and torrents of water streamed down through the school. The Beacon cancelled their home matches, but by two o'clock, the puddles had begun to dry up and the pitches were in surprisingly good condition. Playing against their 'B' team, we soon put some good rugby together, driving forward and securing good ball in the set and in the loose. It took several minutes for us to roll over the try line for the first score, as we gave away too many silly penalties for handing off and for coming into the rucks and mauls from the side. As it was said at half time, we were playing as individuals rather than as a team, our decision making was often thoughtless and we were not doing ourselves justice. However, although the Beacon upped their work rate and commitment after the break, three tries were scored by our wingers after the break, as the ball was released wider and earlier, and the passing became more sympathetic and more thoughtful. Mr Taylor was much more impressed with the second half. On Saturday, we are entertaining Papplewick and we must make sure that we do not give away so many penalties, that we run and support from deep and that we play to our strengths.
Colts A 0 v Papplewick 5
Wow! Now that was a competitive match, played wholeheartedly, with tremendous commitment from the players of both sides and above all in the right spirit.
Certainly I hope that some of the parents will appreciate how much effort the children commendably put in throughout the game and be less critical of what is going on the pitch. Right from the first whistle, the tackles were made fiercely, generally legally, bringing the player to the ground, the support rolled off or took a short pass and the play moved from one end of the pitch to the other. First Eagle House were close to the line to be driven back, then Papplewick crept closer to our line, and then Eagle House moved back forward and so it went on. The second half and eventually the teams were separated only by a penalty try with three disallowed tries for Papplewick matched by two for Eagle House. Eagle House had the opportunities, but the final pass went astray or was not given, as we strived to level the scores. The forwards were tremendous throughout, with Saxon Coop and William Rasmussen really outstanding for most of the match, and the backs all played with much greater strength and heart, especially in defence.
There is certainly much that we can build upon before Wednesday. All of game need to listen to the coaching learn from the mistakes, and put it all together for us to score the team tries I know we can produce.
Colts rugby colours were awarded to Saxon Coop.
Eagle House 0 Caldicott A/B 40
It's amazing what a difference a few days make. I had honestly felt as the game started that we were in with a chance of a good game, one in which we would be competitive in the set and in the loose and one in which we would show the same heart and commitment which had been so pleasing on Saturday. Everybody did something good at some stage, but we were unable to put each bit together to construct going forward rugby, to protect the ball and take it over the line. We had two or three clear chances which we did not turn into points, and when we did turn over the ball, our tackling was very disappointing.
We will practise hard after half term and try to regain the positive approach that had served us well until today. We must also learn to talk to each other on the pitch.
Have a good break.
Eagle House 12 Oratory B/A 7
This was a match that was as close and as competitive as the score suggests. There was some great rugby from both sides, and talking to the teams afterwards, it was a game that was enjoyed by the players and the parents alike, and most importantly by the parents and players of both sides. Eagle House started really positively, moving the ball with comparative ease and time that we had not seen before. The backs and the forwards combined well for us to score in the corner. The Oratory soon began to warm up and joined into the game with much skill and mazy running, as they leveled the score and then went ahead with their conversion. With only two high tackles(ish), the ball was moved up and down the pitch with the referee blowing for a scrum so that he could have a breather. Eagle House had opportunities, but, as Mr. Taylor said, we must learn to offload the ball before contact once we have made the break, and then release other players more readily. We did put moves together and the new look team did deserve go over for what was to prove to be the winning try. The Oratory kept working hard, but after twenty-one and a half minutes, the final whistle was blown and the players soon sat down for a welcome drink and a bite to eat.
Most people including many of the Oratory parents felt that it was an afternoon well spent.
Colours were awarded to two really hard working forwards William Fletcher and William Rasmussen and to a creative running back Michael Wright.
Colts A 14 Edgeborough 7
In a very competitive match we played somewhat like a diesel car somebody filled with four star as we chugged in fits and starts through to a deserved win. Some of the play was excellent with mazy runs from 9, 10, 12 and a tremendously whole-hearted effort from the forwards, especially Saxon Coop. We are making progress, but we still continue to take the ball on too far, alienating ourselves from the supporting players and we still tend to watch the breaks rather than seek to join in more quickly. We must also make sure that we mark our man more carefully, watching to see what he is going to do.
It's our last game on Saturday; I hope that the children will make sure that they finish the season on a high.
Eagle House 24 Moulsford 'B' B/A? A/B? 10
The game itself was very hard fought and there was a great amount of skill, technique, commitment and enjoyment from the players of both sides. Both sets of forwards drove and worked incredibly hard around the pitch to secure, recycle and provide good ball for some talented runners in both sets of backs. There were good running lines, as Moulsford showed the benefit of moving forward with the passing. In the end the close support of the Eagle House front five took the game by four tries to two.
As a rugby match, it was a great way for Eagle House to finish their season with a deserved win, and I hope that they will take this commitment and increasing skill into the senior sides or bring it back into the Colts next year. There is still much that we can improve, but the change since September should be recognized and appreciated by the children. Well done, thank you, and now enjoy your football!!
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