U11's get a great win in Liverpool

13 of our squad made the long and foggy trip down the M62 to the surroundings of the (former?) Lancashire Cricket ground and home to Liverpool Collegiate RUFC. Thanks to our hosts for expertly refereeing and providing lunch afterwards.

Unfortunately game time seemed to come too early and the first 10 minute half saw lacklustre Rossy play justly rewarded with a four try deficit to make up. After a pep talk in the middle the boys went at it like men possessed. Tries came for Patrick, Sam, Matthew, Ryan, Spencer and Rory after much better contact in the rucks and some physical tackling from Henry, Josh and Daniel. The game ended with a six try win.

The second match went, somewhat strangely, the same way...after an opportune restart kick-on and drive nearly ended in a try for the boys, Collegiate battered back up the field and pressured the boys' line before taking their chances and scoring four tries again. But the boys rallied again in the second period with some half breaks from Cameron and some good rugby starting to expose the weakness of the opposition in the wide open spaces. Tries came again for Marcus, Rory, Patrick, Spencer, Ryan and Dominic who deserved his reward after visibly improving his efforts through the match. Six tries to four again!

Man of the Match though was Oscar who was tireless throughout the morning at rucks, mauls and with his hands either on the ball or arms wrapped around an opponent. Try of the Match was for Rory's impression of a counter-attacking full back taking the ball from kick off and touching down at the other end. Tackle of the Match went to Spencer in a double award with Oscar (him again) for teaming up on the biggest of the Collegiate big lads.

A great performance on the whole lads; a bit more passing would have undone the opposition earlier and let's be sure we boss the contact areas for the whole game!! Let's look for the space and keep running straight. Mauls were good and supporting play was much better but we need to work on our instincts at the back of the ruck when the ball is there for us.

Onwards and upwards - are we starting to like the winning feeling yet? Thanks again to parents for making the effort and taking the time out of the weekend, we coaches really appreciate it and can't run the team without it. Please keep checking the website and if anyone needs a lift just shout up.