KRFC U16’s V Old Coventrians

Following some tough matches with disappointing results we were a bit wary of yet another hard opponent. OC’s made a fair journey with an early start & brought really good numbers. We had a full compliment of backs for the first time in quite a few weeks. We talked about being more positive ,go forward, pass & follow, playing with width & belief.
First Half:
An early score was quite important today to lift confidence. A well practiced line out on their 10m line into a driving Maul with Joe going over for a try, no conversion. This was exactly what the boys needed & I think we all felt a weight lifted from our shoulders. The forwards really coming together for that one, they have been really consistent all season. The forwards working through phases up the pitch, Some good pass & follow from the backs & Ben with a lovely chip over the top, regather & over line, some great skills there. Christian converts.
OC’s coming back into the game now, good pressure from them, a couple of driving mauls but the boys defend really well, OC’s make a break for the line but drop the ball. A bit of a let off for us. More pressure from OC’s & they charge down a kick as we try to exit but they knock on afterwards & we get a scrum. More pressure & we are playing behind the posts, another charge down & this time they score.
We start to unravel a bit & it’s a string of penalties for offside & basic stuff to let OC’s into the game. Some handbags after the whistle leads to Joe getting sent off. Running 20m to get involved wasn’t worth the yellow card. OC’s apply more pressure & come away with a score & convert.
End of the half, we talk about playing our game, quick ball, go forwards & not getting dragged into a forwards battle. Oran talks really well about how the silly penalties are putting us under unnecessary pressure & letting OC’s into the game.
Second Half:
OC’s knock on from the re-start, scrum, quick ball out to the backs & ben breaks the line to score, Ben converts. Ben chips through again and scores, Ben coverts . We get pinned back in our own half as OC’s turn the screw. We get the ball, Rory chips over & Oran gathers, great run from half way & under the posts for a try, Christian converts. The rest of the half is back & fourth as the two fairly equally matched sides battle it out.
A really good morning against a quality side with strength & depth of play. It was great to see the boys regain some belief & also to see improvements in their individual skills. I noticed Tom Herbert make a mistake & gave the ball away only to make sure he tackled the player to regain possession. Raul working his socks off in a maul, Ewan in the line out, Dan & Charlie sucking in the defence, Max & Sam rucking & jackaling, Clarke tackling constantly, the list goes on. Having Ben & Rory back really gave us options in the back line & this really freed up Oran to play a more flowing game. Oran lead well & makes a fantastic captain, he has a really good insight as to what’s happening on the pitch and says what needs to be said, when it needs to be said.
The biggest problem today was getting everyone on, after some really hard games with big disappointments it was fantastic to see nearly everyone turn up, happy & ready to play. A real testament to the boys belief in the team.
Tries: Joe, Ben 3, Oran Conversions: Christian 2, Ben 2
Thanks to Mark for refereeing