U13's Pleasing Progress - Rossy vs Dedsbury Old Bedians

To start, probably worth qualifying what happens with Cup games. Given Didsbury had 8 players, which is not enough to play a full team, even working back to 10 a side, so unfortunately the Cup element of the game is forfeited by Didsbury.

Lending a few players over to Didsbury we managed to make a reasonable 13 v 12 set of teams so the players could all keep warm and get some game time, after all that really what it's about, getting these players to play rugby.So we played 4 quarters and totting up the many tries I think Rossy probably had the edge on the final figures.., about Rossendale 14 -12 Didsbury. Well done. The game wasn't really about the score line more about individual players putting in to practise what has been learnt and the team as a whole progressing.

On reflection:

Rucking: Oldham last week was not our finest display of rucking and for possession and game control, we need to be all over rucks, at the very least maintaining our possession in breakdowns when we take the ball in. Progress today, the little pep talks before the game I think reminded all the Rossy boys to keep sharp and get in and over the rucks so we keep or win the ball. Terrific to see that we cleared out many of the breakdowns and easily held our own (and more) in the game. Well Done.

Scrums: I am not sure how much we need to work on scrums, we seem to go in to, and come out of scrums, with the ball and even sizeable physical teems don't seem to move us off the ball and possession. Coming in to U13's and playing 5 man scrums contested is good going for these young players to pick up and adopt quite a tricky technical element of the game. I think the team have this set up and executed well. All Scrum Boys - well done..., Will, Oliver W, Fin, Lucas, Ethan T, Oliver D, George Y - last 2 weeks’ scrums have been really good!

Strategically: The team put together some "cleaver" play at times, todays 2nd quarter seen a plan between the boys to take the ball from the scrum and kick (Uphill) and out to the corner where the acceleration from our very own Youssain Bolt (Rhys Lightning) managed to get across and collect the ball. Probably not the finest display of rugby and execution but I would take from this play that they are starting to think more strategically which is a good thing..., a couple of phases after the collection, Rhys put it over the line so it's encouraging to see the boys collaborating and thinking about the game, the players and potential opportunities when they see them. Well done.

Ball Carrying: I was really impressed all round today, seemed everyone managed to grab a hold of the ball, find the defensive lines and draw in Didsbury defence and at times even whittled through and beyond the lines. Good Stuff lads well done. Again I think everyone made an impact today but specifically George C and Lucas really putting in more time on the ball and creating problems for Didsbury defence. Well done.

Tackling: I think we'll struggle with this for the next few years and maybe beyond as we try and get the players to engage in tackling with shoulders rather than Upright shirt pulling and grabbing. However, I was really pleased to see Kyle back and back to form putting in some quality tackles and one or two big hits when we needed it. I can see a few more of the team taking the contact on their terms and putting more tackles in which is progress. Well Done.

A few times today, even the sprinting breaks from Rhys, had a couple of the Rossy players supporting the try scorers up to the line. Well Done, especially on our full field now, this is showing progress and great work ethic to make those many, many, many, yards up or down the field.
We still have a bit to work on but I am enjoying the flashes of brilliance and progress from week to week. Well done all boys 16 team players today all finishing the games with a smile, arms wrapped around each other and singing away celebrating Tommy's birthday! Brilliant a real highlight of the day!

Try Scorers..., Few too many to keep a track of but great to see Lucas pick up a try and George C - well done boys. (Rhys, Joey, Ethan, George C, Lucas, Hugo..., sorry if I missed anyone)
Fantastic efforts in defence and support from all Tommy, Hugo, Bailey, Joey, Ethan F & Ethan T, George C and George Y, Oliver W and Oliver D, Kyle (hope you back on your feet soon mate), Rhys, James, Fin, Will, Fraser!!!

Very news at Ten..., and finally...., (of course Happy Birthday Tommy), but cracking collection today from Will from the reset and Didsbury kick, sadly a little knock on as he set off but a wonderful effort and good to see the determination and pace kick in as he set off fixated on that try line, shame about the knock on but good effort buddy you are really coming on well.