|
Message
from the Coaches:
Dear All
This is our last posting on the website for the season so I am taking the liberty of copying everyone!
Aberdeen Tournament
Our final tournament of the season was held at Aberdeen Sports ground on Sunday. Thanks to Aberdeen for hosting and arranging the tournament. We had 15 of our squad available and played three games, including one against old rivals FC (won 4-0). Our results were as follows:
Played 3 Won 3 For 22 Against 0
Some good handling and running by backs and forwards led to numerous tries. The forwards, with Rafic playing a key role alongside our more battle hardened forwards, were exceptional in line outs and scrums. But we need to curb our tendency to pick up the ball in rucks instead of driving over and clearing out and allowing the scrum half to do his job! Some good passing and handling in the backs with two scintillating tries to flying winger Paul. But at times a few too many passes were going to ground and behind the support player and we even saw some “no look” passes as well! And the ball carriers need to draw defenders and off load – we weren’t committing defenders prior to passing the ball. But overall a satisfying end to the season and thanks to all the lads who turned up.
2006/2007 Review and Report
We made considerable progress in 2006/2007 in several key areas of the game:
- Tackling – our defense was solid throughout the season and even when our first up tacklers missed tackles the cover defense swamped the attackers. Remember – the first point of contact in the tackle is with the shoulder.
- Defensive lines – our defensive lines and patterns improved during the season although some players are still coming up out of the line, thereby leaving gaps for attackers. Remember – stay in the line in defense.
- Rucks and mauls – we did make considerable progress with our driving into rucks and mauls, cleaning out the opposition and binding to maximize our impact and momentum. Remember – hit the ruck and maul at pace, drive low to high and only join “through the gate”.
- Line outs and scrums – technical skills improved immeasurably although lapses in concentration in scrums sometimes resulted in us losing our put ins. Remember – correct body positions and binding are the keys to robust scrumaging.
- Running, passing and handling – all basic skills which we worked on and improved during the season. Remember – ball carriers need to run straight and support players need to stand deep and take the pass at pace.
Our efforts at training throughout the season were rewarded by impressive results on the field, despite the fact that we only played our A Grade attacking game in patches (the semifinal in Singapore probably our best attacking display all season). Results for the season as follows:
Played 45 Won 41 Lost 2 Drew 2 For 189 Against 8
By far the feature of our play was the strong defensive effort – our teams were unwilling to concede tries and there were many memorable try saving tackles throughout the season. The defense in the Singapore tournament on our first ever international tour, where we won the Cup Final, was the major contributor to our success. We did score some superb tries but the fact that no team crossed our line in the tournament was testament to the determination not to concede tries.
We achieved many of the objectives we set ourselves in 2006/2007, guided by two (of the six) key principles of rugby:
- GO FORWARD (attack defenders and space)
- CONTINUITY (keep the ball moving).
2007/2008 Objectives
While we will continue to focus on the principles of GO FORWARD and CONTINUITY in 2007/2008 we do need to improve and expand our skills to encompass the other key principles of the game:
- CONTEST/RETAIN POSSESSION (secure/keep the ball)
- SUPPORT (in numbers, at pace, from behind)
- PRESSURE (sustain pressure in attack and defense)
- SCORE (always play to score).
We will work on our skills across all the technical areas in 2007/2008 but we are going to emphasise four “themes”:
- Use the space (something we didn’t achieve regularly this season but next season we will play on much larger pitches)
- Retain the ball (we lost far too much ball in contact and in the tackle – we had to introduce the “Dog Poo of the Week” award for the player losing the most ball in contact in our games at the end of training)
- Improve accuracy (passing behind the support player, dropping high balls, missing tackles, losing the ball in the tackle and joining the ruck from the side are all examples of a lack of accuracy – we need to execute well)
- Stick to the game plan (we managed this only once or twice all season).
As we expect to be playing on larger pitches in 2007/2008 it is imperative to work on our fitness in the summer. We need all players to:
- Run at least 10 km per week
- Do at least 20 push ups and 20 sit ups per day.
The “fatties” will suffer badly in the first few training sessions of next season if they don’t try and maintain a decent level of fitness over the summer and that is a promise!
Thank You
It would not have been possible to enjoy playing the world’s greatest game over the past several months without the support of many people. So a big thank you to:
- All the lads who demonstrated courage, commitment and determination despite the incessant rantings of the Head Coach;
- The coaching team of Rob, Dave, Carl, Giles and David who were instrumental in enhancing technical skills and motivating players;
- All the parents and siblings who come along each week (and those who joined the tour to Singapore) to encourage and cheer for the team;
- Alban for his excellent work as team photographer;
- Ex-Chairman Hugh and new Chairman Carl for their wisdom and guidance;
- All the other club officials, including Mini Director Nick, for their hard work in running the club; and
- Elisabetta for posting our weekly reports.
I hope everyone has a great summer and look forward to seeing you all next season!
Philip
|
