Tigers Carrion

Wonderful to have the honour of playing on the first team pitch, unfortunately it's a VERY big pitch and Sedgley Park demonstrated how to use the whole of it. Hats off to Sedgley 10 tries (Hope I got this right) and 4 of those converted. Sedgley showed great shape, skill and disciple.

Some really terrific action and a lot of good work holding off Sedgley throughout the 60 minute match. It was soon apparent Sedgley were taking control of the breakdowns and they seemed to take possession of the ball almost at will, putting us firmly in chase or defence mode time and time again. This obviously took its toll on the players and as fatigue set in, so did the opportunities for Sedgley to break through and find the try line.

Watching, for me, felt the game was made hard work, of our own doing. Take away a bit of the bad luck with the bounce of the ball or the slippery conditions and we were still a long way behind looking like an organised, disciplined line up, frustratingly not a reflection of our training capabilities and selves. The reality is we have a lot of work to do in translating what's done on the training pitches Wednesdays and Sundays to game time friendly’s or cup matches.

We are new to the bigger scrum, line outs and conversions, although our brief training seemed to set us up well and good strength and strategy was shown in these situations and the forwards did a good job and were supported well once the ball was out and in open play. Some really good tackling efforts on the park (Just not enough, by everyone) which saw a very strong try scoring opportunity right in front of the posts for Sedgley within 10 yards of the line when Will got his head down an unleashed a massive tackle on Sedgley’s ball carrier stopping the momentum and potential try in a deft movement earning WILL - Tackle of the Match! [Well Done].

A nod then also to Ash, first game, playing flanker and doing a great job, easily in line also for Tackle of the match. As Tim mentioned Sunday, the determination, effort, controlled aggression and physicality both defending and ball carrying really stood out! Well Done.

Our third gong went to Fin, displaying all the right attitude and values of the players we need on the pitch. Hitting and clearing rucks, strength and determination in ball carrying and confidence and physicality in defence, not one moan, gripe or grumble in a challenging and frustrating game. When on the side line however expressed his passion to be back on and in the middle of the chaos which he directly made to the coaches. Not moaning, blaming, down talking anyone or anything is exactly the attitude and spirit were looking for, however hard this may be in an U14’s game against a strong side.

Great to welcome and get some actual game time for some of the new players with us this season, Harry doing a great job, some good tackling and a positive start, Jacob too doing his bit and hopefully next game we'll see a bit more of possession and see some really good footwork which we know he is capable of. Plenty of yards covered as usual by Rhys both in his role as full back but also plugging some of the gaps in defence and breakdowns – good effort. Nice yards gained too out on the wing in the few times we managed to get the ball out to Mac, who, as always, turned on the speed and power and let loose a few times in some good opportunities to push Segley back towards the try line, some unfortunate slips or passes, otherwise I am sure we would have been on the score board.

Our first game in and some exciting moments in the match, thanks all players as it's a team game and everyone attending made a contribution and had game time. Thank you all and if as a player, you didn't get a mention look to the 3 people we stood up on Sunday in the after match talk, their behaviour’s highlighted here and what they do well on the pitch, everyone taking this on board even a little, will result in better games and performances.

Big thank you to Amanda Cornwall as First Aider, we very much relied on you Sunday and appreciate your help. I know the last 10-15 minutes started to get First Aid busy and hopefully after being Superglued Sunday, Joe will be ready for action again this coming Sunday.

Fatigue on that pitch, but let’s face it, this is a reality for the majority of our players, took its toll Sunday, so if I can implore parents to bring along, or send players along to our Thursday circuits class we have organised. This is a real asset to their game and match fitness. Please please please make every effort to get them along (Thank You!).