21 Oct 07 Sidcup
Overall
Fitness very good - pre match warm very good. Attitude very well focused despite two average pre-match training sessions.
Defense very good - excellent mind set from the outset.
Players coming back from absence must inform coaches of what is going on - do not expect to turn up and play.
There will be some disappointed players on the side lines who didn't get on the field on Sunday - generally two reasons - skill level and fitness, particulalry the fitness. I've observed too much weight work and not enough aerobic work. But you will have your chance to prove to the coaches your credentials against Blackheath.
Forwards
Handling - much much better.
Lay-offs from the floor and tackle very impressive and kept the ball alive.
Srummage - up against a very superior pack - but held enough of our own to play good rugby.
Line out - most improved area of play - won most if not all of our line-out ball.
Rucking - very good - clearing out quickly allowing potentially quick ball for the backs. A little slower than normal. We train to play and pass without a scrum half - this did not transpire into the game.
Backs
Defensive tackling very good as usual. Nothing coming through the middle.
Passing - good.
Kicking from hand - opportunity to kick to space not utilised as much as our game plan intended - particularly the second half.
Lines of running - at times very good. Support play off the shoulder can be improved.
Decision making - still need to lift our horizons and its not ideal to run from our own 22 in a close match. Decision making at times could have cost us points.
Discipline
Much improved - well done - although last 5 minutes (Mr Weeks)
General play
We responded well to pressure. Linkage forwards and backs again improved this week. Attitude on the field of play was superb.
The opposition should have made more of their strengths - for a very big side they didn't use it. Tactics also phased the opposition. Instead of adapting they moaned and groaned that we didn't play to their strength - heavy boring 10 man rugby.
16 Sept 07 London Scottish Home
Overall
Fitness very good - attitude very very good. Attitude completely different to previous week's very well focused.
Fair pre-match preparation - good warm-up.
Defense very good - excellent mind set from the outset.
Players need to inform coaches if not fully fit. The match card was prepared on player testimony - then you dropped out - this prevented
Chris from getting on the field.
Forwards
From kick-off - better catching although again support for the catcher remained poor.
Lay-offs from the floor and tackle very impressive and kept the ball alive.
Srummage - very good against a bigger pack. Well done Shane - I think you've found a new position. Better use of options.
Line out - still the weakest part of our game - but it was better
Rucking - very good - clearing out quickly allowing quick ball for the backs.
Backs
Defensive tackling very good
Passing - good this week but made very difficult in windy conditions.
Lines of running - at times very good. Drifting - not as much this week - cutting back inside still an issue.
Discipline
Much improved - well done.
General play
Comment from the side - one of the best performances seen at G's
We responded well to pressure. Linkage forwards and backs even better this week. Attitude on the field of play was superb.
The opposition should have made more of their strengths - for a big side they didn't use it - nor did the kick into space when it was
available particularly in the second half with the wind.
9 Sept 07 Sidcup Home
Overall - fitness very good- attitude very good but took sometime for players to be convinced that they could compete. Attitude of some players beforehand appeared to be intimidated due to the stature of opposition. Disappointing that new captain not available - good effort to support from the side lines. Well done Dane for standing in.
Fair pre-match preparation - good warm-up.
Defense very good - excellent mind set once game started.
Forwards
From kick-off - better catching although support for the catcher remained poor.
Srummage fair - opposition strength - Well done Gary Sargeant for stepping in.
Line out - the weakest part of our game.
Rucking - not bad - but need to drive over the ball.
Backs
Defensive tackling very good
Passing - much better this week.
Lines of running - at times very good. Drifting - not an issue this week - cutting back inside at the wrong times was.
Discipline
Again an area for improvement - too much history brought to the game.
General play
We responded well to pressure. Linkage forwards and backs was better this week. Still a rusty performance on certain aspects of the game. But attitude on the field of play was superb.
The opposition should have made more of their strengths - they got sidetracked. Well done the Sidcup prop who summed up their performance - "instead of fighting - if we'd supported our winger we would have scored."
