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Sun 12 Oct 2014
U13Old Ruts
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Exiles (U13s) welcome Old Ruts to the Meads
Peter Hutton13 Oct 2014 - 07:24
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Friendly series of games provide opportunity for run out against competitive opposition
Sunday 12th October and we welcomed Old Ruts to the Meads for a series of friendlies before the league matches start in earnest.
For both sides this was an excellent opportunity to give the players a run out on a full sized pitch against combative opposition. Three 20 minute games gave everyone the opportunity of competition and we ensured that whilst the core of the Blues and Golds played as units there was still a fair bit of mixing of players and positions. Across the three games the Exile’s scored four tries and conceded only one, but of greater importance from the session was the chance to get competitive pitch time and allow the players to apply the lessons from the drills and training in a real game context.
Overall impression were that the pack put on an impressive display with plenty of go forward and solid rucking; and whilst there were a number of big hits the quality of some of the tackling was encouraging to see – properly low, wrapped up and driven home; lovely.
Having worked on positioning in training it was nice to see pillar and post being applied; however other aspects of position left something be desired - offside and going in off the feet at the breakdown need to be addressed. Nothing that can’t be sorted with quality time in training.
In mixing up some of the players and positions, some of our usual potency in the scrum was lost, but in contrast it was encouraging how the newer players to the Exiles’ squad have gelled with the more established players and amongst the backs, as well as the forwards, there was nice interplay and passing down the line, helping to open up space and create opportunities.
So across the three matches the Exiles showed they could play a tight game when required as well as open up the game when the conditions and the opposition allowed. Passing was fluid with relatively few errors in handling; a bit more savviness in passing would be appreciated (i.e. don’t be greedy) but otherwise this was a solid, competent and encouraging series of games.
Big thanks to the players, coached and parents of Old Ruts who contributed to what I think everyone can agree was an encouraging series of matches. Hopefully we will meet up again later in the season for more of the same.
For both sides this was an excellent opportunity to give the players a run out on a full sized pitch against combative opposition. Three 20 minute games gave everyone the opportunity of competition and we ensured that whilst the core of the Blues and Golds played as units there was still a fair bit of mixing of players and positions. Across the three games the Exile’s scored four tries and conceded only one, but of greater importance from the session was the chance to get competitive pitch time and allow the players to apply the lessons from the drills and training in a real game context.
Overall impression were that the pack put on an impressive display with plenty of go forward and solid rucking; and whilst there were a number of big hits the quality of some of the tackling was encouraging to see – properly low, wrapped up and driven home; lovely.
Having worked on positioning in training it was nice to see pillar and post being applied; however other aspects of position left something be desired - offside and going in off the feet at the breakdown need to be addressed. Nothing that can’t be sorted with quality time in training.
In mixing up some of the players and positions, some of our usual potency in the scrum was lost, but in contrast it was encouraging how the newer players to the Exiles’ squad have gelled with the more established players and amongst the backs, as well as the forwards, there was nice interplay and passing down the line, helping to open up space and create opportunities.
So across the three matches the Exiles showed they could play a tight game when required as well as open up the game when the conditions and the opposition allowed. Passing was fluid with relatively few errors in handling; a bit more savviness in passing would be appreciated (i.e. don’t be greedy) but otherwise this was a solid, competent and encouraging series of games.
Big thanks to the players, coached and parents of Old Ruts who contributed to what I think everyone can agree was an encouraging series of matches. Hopefully we will meet up again later in the season for more of the same.
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