Chipstead Academy
Matches
Sun 30 Sep 2018
Effingham & Leatherhead
47
0
Chipstead Rugby Club
Chipstead Academy
Academy lose away from Meads

Academy lose away from Meads

Peter Hutton1 Oct 2018 - 14:23
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https://www.chipsteadrfc.co.uk

Chipstead Academy learn a hard lesson at Effingham & Leatherhead.

Okay, let’s get the excuses out of the way and then focus on the match itself. Our two scrum halves were unavailable for selection– ankle injury and illness, and we were missing our first pick front row (for similar reasons); so, some players were required to play in unfamiliar positions. Additionally, some recent hard games at school, and for some, candidly, the effects of Saturday night excess all explain some of the lethargy on display on the pitch. Injury, illness and fatigue are excusable; self-inflicted lassitude, not so much.

The game however, as reflected in the score line, was a very one-sided affair and Effingham & Leatherhead were the stronger team and well worthy of their win. The tenor of the game came in the first five minutes when a careless high tackle gifted the hosts a penalty try. The traffic for the rest of the half was predominantly one way as the Academy absorbed wave after unremitting wave of E&L attacks. We were not without our own periods of pressure, but our inability to convert pressure to points reflected the success of a suffocating defence, forced and unforced handling errors and, occasionally, poor decision making. The bottom line was that the Academy started slowly and never got any real momentum, whereas E&L were assertive from the start and closed out the half 26-0 to the good.

The second period was more of the same; although becoming feistier as the half continued. Tempers were starting to fray – on both sides; and some antics, and language, on the pitch are best not reported on in this summary. Suffice to say that again the Academy attacks were nullified whilst the hosts managed to run in three more tries. Final score 47-0.

As Neil noted, this was the first time that the 2018-19 Academy squad had played a competitive game as a unit – last weekend’s successful sojourn at Old Reigatians being an U17s affair; and this unfamiliarity, allied to the observations above made this a learning experience.

It is how the squad reacts to this defeat that will determine the mettle of the players. This time last year, the newly formed Chip Whits U16 squad were on the wrong end of a pummelling at Reeds – and came through at the end of the season as one of the top U16 sides in Surrey. So, things can, and will, only get better.

Also, what was encouraging was how at the end of the game the squad collectively took responsibility for their performance. We do have to look to the older players to take more leadership on the pitch; but the onus is on everyone to keep a cool head and reflect on what they could have done better. Oh yes, also remember that if the opposition want to mouth off during the game, let them get on with it and just concentrate on your own game.

From a coaching perspective there is plenty to work on; from set piece and decision making at the breakdown to leadership and communication on the pitch. However, all we should do is chalk this game down to experience, learn from it and move on. So, let’s take today’s result on the chin and bounce back against Old Reigatians next week.

Match details

Match date

Sun 30 Sep 2018

Kickoff

12:00
Team overview
Further reading

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