Better than before...and still the sun shines!

The boys left the falling snow in Rossendale for the sunnier but potentially tougher climate of the Vale of Lune club in Lancaster for a jovial welcome from the hosts with henchmen from Penrith in attendance too...a difficult morning in the offing?

As usual...not quite!

After some chat about the last week's performance against Tarleton (body positions, contact, team mates etc.) the boys knuckled down in the second round-robin match to show what they really could do and beat the hosts first selection by 5 tries to 1! Penrith came next and provoked the boys into complete switch-off for 5 minutes until they rallied with two tries to level only for a late dubious score from a ruck clinching it for the guests from the north 3 tries to 2. The third game against the other team from the hosts was a more animated affair but, again, a bit of ruck good fortune saw Vale triumph by 4 tries to 3.

By my maths we came away having scored 10 and conceded 8 - an excellent effort against two classy clubs and a good start for preparing for tournaments.

Hugely more important were the improvements in commitment, team work, rucking and passing from the previous week. Well done to those asked to do something better or different and who did it. After a winter on astroturf our defence leaked a bit and needs some refreshing but this can come back.

Tackle Hero: Josh - putting it in week after week and his work rate is getting higher and tougher.
Tries of the Match: Ryan - busting the gain line and passing out of the tackle brought his rewards.
Man of the Match: Shaun - listened, changed his game, showed power and skill and had his best Sunday in the shirt all season.

Well done to all, hopefully the few knocks are nothing serious. Thanks to parents for making the trip on Mothers Day, of all days!