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U8’s Match Reports 2011-12

November 20th U8’s vs Knutsford (Away) Won 25-16
A strong Northwich side turned up at Knutsford, all 20 of us!!!!!! No longer do I have to worry that I might not have 7 kids to play on a Sunday morning.

With such a mix of experience within the group, we just mixed the teams up and played a series of 7 min games, and I have to say the improvement from the new starters after last weeks training session with Paul and Dave was great to see.

Jack ran in 4 tries before Knutsford knew what had hit them and this theme continued throughout the morning, unfortunately for us, not all in our favour, Knutsford soon cottoned on to the scoring side of the game and it was a fairly even contest in all the games played. I have to say though, that being honest Northwich edged it in all departments and came away with a deserved victory overall.

Much of the kids play is worthy of special praise, but I cannot remember every moment but here is a few

Jack England fantastic all morning his passing and supporting lines will bring him more and more tries over the year.
 
Dan Mckenna some great defensive work and 1 fantastic chase and tag when they were destined to score.
 
Logan, Tom, Will, Dan M, Jude, and Tom Williams Outstanding yet again and whilst we need to encourage and praise the kids who are developing new skills, I cannot praise our more experienced players enough, the vision and passing is lovely to watch, and the move of the match involved all of them and about 6 passes as they ran the ball in from half way or as the Knutsford supporters described it “oohh to good that, Fair play, great move”.
 
Lastly the try of the Match, now as many may know we are great believers in running into and attacking space and have worked endlessly on spatial awarness drills, improving decision making under pressure and passing technique - to work towards our vision of a flowing and exciting game of rugby. Or you could ignore all of this, Catch the ball in your own half , look up see a wall of Knutsford defenders, dismiss all calls for the ball as foolish, the space on the outsides as a figment of your imagination, and make the choice to run straight at them, not to deviate from your chosen line no matter who may get in your way, low and behold to then come out the other side with 2 tags intact and the ball still in hand to then sprint up the field to score – so try of the match and MAN OF THE MATCH went to Georgina Burke.
 
Overall we had the upper hand in all departments and edged a very competitive morning of rugby 25 tries to 16.
 
Many thanks to all the parents for making the effort on the coldest Sunday so far this year, thanks also to Knutsford for a great morning of rugby and raffle prizes that you just wouldn’t get at Northwich.

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November 27th U8’s vs Trafford MV (Away) Won 130-90
Northwich traveled to Trafford MV full of spirit after last weekends tremendous results, the assembled 15 players battled their way through the warm up which was conducted in near hurricane conditions. We then split into 2 teams to take on what Trafford had to offer.

Now while I can only really comment on the kids I presided over, Dave on the other pitch has indicated that it was as good as last week at Knutsford, with all players contributing fully to both games with some real stand out performances by 2 or 3 players which led to the boys winning both games 8 tries to 3, 16 tries scored 6 conceded not a bad mornings work. (Logan, Tom, Billy, Jude, Dan M, Will W and Declan)

On the other pitch we had 2 great games against Trafford, It is fantastic to see so many of the players making progress week on week, Daniel was a star as was Georgina yet again, Lachlan and Luke are coming on leaps and bounds, both should be really proud of their efforts. Ben Johnson great to see you back on the field and making great contributions. Bobbie, Aidan and Ryan were fantastic all day culminating in some tremendous running and tries. Trafford edged both the games (just), 6 tries to 5 in the first and 5 to 4 in the second.

Man of the Match was Logan for some great tries, support play and running, an overall assured performance by a player who is really coming into his own this season.

Many thanks to the parents and kids for making the journey, also many thanks to Trafford for their hospitality

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December 4th U8’s vs Anselmians (Home) Lost 100-70
Northwich played a very strong Anselmians team who despite having the bare minimum quota of players put in some tremendous performances.

We on the other hand had 20 players to choose from and being very aware that everyone needs equal (ish) amounts of game time this can lead to some varying degrees of success on the field as far a results go. We put out a strong team for the first half and I think just about edged it by a try or two, after this I kind of lost track and I can only tell you the score courtesy or the Anselmians website.

As far as I can recall Anselmians had the better of the main part of the games, Then we pulled it back in the final 7 min or so, all in all in 6 – 7 min half’s we played Anselmians edged it.

But who cares about the score – This was a rugby fest played in the right manner by all the kids, coaches and parents – we had it all fantastic rugby from both sides, lateral passes drifting 5 meters forward in a freak gust of wind, players wishing to take up refereeing, side steps to just admire and overall a great, fun, light-hearted morning of rugby.

Tom Williams took home Man of the Match award after some great running and spectacular tries, yet again the improvement by the newer players is wonderful to see I thought Harvey had a very strong game, and it has to be noted that when we had a team on the pitch made up of 8 players who have only been playing a handful of weeks they didn’t get out classed by a strong opposition and coursed more than enough problems for their defense – so well done to all, GIVE ME A YEEEEEHAAAAA.

Many thanks to all the parents and kids for coming down on a fairly cold morning – Also it was great to meet a opposition coaching team with the same type of thoughts on the game IT SHOULD BE FUN & ITS NOT THAT SERIOUS, We look forward to meeting you again in the return.=

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February 12th U8’s vs Sale & Helsby vs Sale Won 1 Drew 1 vs Helsby Won 1 Lost 1
Game 1 Northwich 8 Sale 7
A fantastic result against a very strong Sale side, Northwich’s passing game is really coming along with most of the tries coming with a least 2 or 3 good passes.

It finally seems to have sunk in, and is joy to watch even when the final ball doesn’t go to hand at least the endeavor and the vision is there.

Game 2 Northwich 10 Helsby 13
I didn’t watch this game, but what I can comment on is how proud I am of the team, the development that has taken place with all the players involved in this game is brilliant, a couple of months ago I think they might have been steamrollered by what was a very good Helsby side, but to score 10 tries in any game is indeed an achievement to be proud of, well done to everyone involved in this game.

Game 3 Northwich 6 v Sale 6
Playing 6 aside instead of the usual 7 gave Sale a distinct advantage as one of their players was, shall we say rapid, but great passing and continuity by the boys kept the scores coming and in the end one player on the Sale side kept them in it, unlucky not to come away with a win but a fair result on reflection.

At the end of the game came a comment from a Sale coach, which says a lot “how do you get them to do that” (pass). Answer: Bribe them!!!!

Game 4 Northwich 8 Helsby 6
All the players were involved in this game and result and the performance shows what a great squad of young players we have, not one player looked out of place and they came from behind to record a very impressive win.

Man of the Match
For what was a great overall performance by all of the players, one lad just sneaked it. His endeavor and general play was of a very high standard all day, he scored a couple of tries but more pleasing was the amount he passed to fellow teammates so they could score. He did however have 2 standout moments.

1, when faced with a run to the corner and a player stood in front of him, in weeks gone by he may have tried to out pace said player on the outside and inevitably step into touch, not today he just ran though

(over) him to touch down.

2, this moment brought much clapping and appreciation from both sets of supporters, players and coaches. Rapid player runs down the wing, he has nearly scored, He is 2 meters from the line, from nowhere 3 feet off the ground like a torpedo comes Jack having tracked him a full 20 meters from the other side of the pitch, flying through the air like a salmon he got the tag and sailed off the pitch still in the air shouting tag to land in a heap in the mud. So man of the match went to Jack England.

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