Newark U11s v. Kesteven

Written by Vince Corley & Jason Harrison
Verified by Alan Staines

Thankfully spring seemed to have arrived early and with clear blue skies, a slight breeze and a pleasant temperature in the sunshine, we welcomed to Kelham road 16 boys from Kesteven for 4 very competitive and close fought games, unfortunately only playing 8 a side due to K's numbers.

Unlike Kesteven we had good numbers which with one less player per game meant we had nearly two full sides as subs, this resulted in difficult game management and constant rotation unsettling both Newark squads and as a result both games started very slowly for Newark.

Blue Squad;
Coaches; Richard and Vince
Players; Joshi, Alexander, Noah, Tom, Tommy, Harley, Henry B, Henry M, Joe R, Dom, James, Oscar, Reuben, Harry and Mackenzie

Blues game 1,

It’s fair to say, that our boys very rarely do not excel, but today in the first half against a very organised and committed Kesteven eight, we allowed them too much time at the breakdown and in open play we allowed some of their very talented runners to much space enabling them to cross our line.

At half time, our boys were honest in their own appraisals and in the second half we corrected some of inefficiencies in defence and really played well to break a strong Kesteven defence. Unfortunately in the final play of the game we allowed them too much space again and to cross the line.

For game one, a special mention to Harley who led the comeback with a level of commitment that was simply outstanding and some great hands and lines from James.

Blues game 2.

Again we saw a very slow start from our boys allowing their best runner space to score directly from the kick off. After this initial disappointment, we then witnessed a really tight game where at times both sets of boys played some terrific rugby with the ball being passed along the line. Scores from both sides were however minimal simply because of some terrific tackling and at crucial points our lads simply took the wrong option either by running back into traffic rather than move into space or trying to pass out of the tackle and knocking on rather than going to ground, recycling and securing possession for the next phase.

Harley once again excelled and was without doubt the blues player of the day.

The lesson to learn is that if you give good quick talented players time and space to start running, they are very difficult to stop. We also came second at scrum on a few occasions and finally we need to focus on tackling the player, rather than hunting for the ball.

White Squad;
Coaches; Jason and Rushie
Players; Josh, Calum, Kye, Jack, Finn, Elliott, Freddie, Thomas, Monty, Ethan, Alfie, Lewis, Harvey and Matthew W

Whites game 1

From kick off the Newark 8 seemed to be elsewhere, just mirroring Kesteven attacking runners, shoulder to shoulder half-hearted or no attempt to make the tackle, once Kesteven had had a couple of strong advances they gathered confidence and momentum and struck harder with all the time in the world they move the ball well and crossed our line with ease.

Interesting to see which of lads would deal with the constant wave of pressure from Kesteven, step up and start leading by organising and encouraging the rest to pull together and start playing rugby and which players would drop their heads! Without question one of (if not the worst) half of rugby witness by our squad in any season, simply embarrassing to witness.

Each lad on that field for the first half and the other lads on the side lines learnt a valuable lesson, that when we start a game of rugby we need to be ALERT, FOCUSED, COMMITTED and ORGANISED, especially against strong opposition!

After a stern half time coaching session reiterating our game plan and the lads acknowledgement that they had let themselves down, we rotating the squad in the second half and the lads performance was simply outstanding. Great determination and focus at the rucks with each play the team showed good alertness and commitment, awareness of the opposition and eagerness for the ball which help them win the ball with good control and move it wide into space. We really impressed in the second half, great comeback and dogged determination. It proved the lads had it in them and they knew what to do against a strong opposition but simply didn't turn up in the first half!

Whites game 2

Please to say that the improvement seen in the second half of the last game continued through the second game, a very close and hard fought contest particularly at the breakdown which the Newark lads just came out on top. Big improvement in the scrums retaining our own ball, we now need to start competing and winning the oppositions ball at their put in to the restarts. Special mention for Freddie who dropped into the scrum half position and with his speed and intense tackling really put Kesteven fly half under pressure backed up by Elliott and Monty which prevented them from establishing a platform to move the ball.

Occasionally we'd recycle the ball but with space outside took the wrong option bringing it back inside into defensive traffic and stopping our advances, rugby is a game of evasion. Valuable lessons learned this morning for both the lads and the coaches. Harvey really led from the front constantly putting Kesteven under pressure and running with determination awarded player of the week.

After an embarrassing start for the White squad, very impressed with all the lads for managing to turn it around and pulling together as a team. Lessons learnt all round this morning and changes will be made to rectify the mistakes made.

Thanks once again to Nigel and Rushie for referring, a particularly respectful morning by all coaches and spectators and long may this continue in future.

Training next week at Kelham road in preparation for our next game against West Bridgford the week after.