1st XV vs Abbotsholme
S. Anselm's continued their winning ways with a comfortable win over a sizeable and tenacious Abbotsholme team.
The first minute was a pleasure to watch as S. Anselm's scored a try with Abbotsholme hardly touching the ball. This proved to be a wake up call for the home side and they hit us hard, forcing us to concede a raft of penalties (including 5 in the next 5 minutes). We lost our shape and resorted to firing the ball along the line rather than taking them on by driving straight and creating a target for the forwards. We held the Abbotsholme team at bay and even managed to sneak two more tries but we looked far from polished and there were more than a few nervous faces at the half time team talk.
The second half proved a much more satisfactory affair; the forwards punching holes in the home defence and providing quick ball for the backs who ran intelligent lines to tear apart the opposition defence. Five further tries were scored as we overran the Abbotholme XV who had, until half time, looked rather a tough outfit and the final score of 50 - 0 was very pleasing indeed.
Jordan W had a great game at fly-half and was ably supported by James C who revelled in the space provided. In the forwards Robert H again proved a handful as he grabbed a hat-trick with the abrasive Tom B proving a thorn the Abbotsholme side. Whilst these players 'grabbed the headlines' it is important to realise that this was a great team effort and every player can be proud of their performance.
Perhaps the most rewarding aspect of the day was the quality of the ball offloaded in, or just before, contact. We have worked incessantly to improve this skill and there are signs that the XV are beginning to reap the benefits of all their hard work.
Once again we have only one training session before our next fixture, I wish the boys a relaxing weekend and look forward to Games on Monday.
Opponents Result Score Tries Conversions
Abbotsholme Won 50 - 0 Robert H 3 Ollie N 5
Tom B
Jordan W
John B
James C
George M
Next match: Wednesday 15th October vs Westbourne (H) KO 2.30pm
RJM Oct08
Posted on
Wed, October 8, 2008
by admin