Simon Jozwiak
U11s Coach
Cranleigh U11s vs Esher
A bright but bitterly cold day saw us welcome Esher. After a short training session we moved quickly to a game in order to keep interest levels and temperatures high.
Esher started the stronger, offloading well in contact as we didn't go low in the tackle and were not committed enough at the breakdown, and they were soon two tries up. Then the fightback started. Bill rucked aggressively, Alex mauled and gave us go forward close to the breakdown ball in hand and the game swung our way. Joe was unlucky to be denied a score, but from the ensuing scrum Sean ran hard to touch down from close range. Esher then scored again to make it 15-5 before Andrew who had a good linking game at scrum half nipped round the blind side of another attacking scrum for a score to make it 15-10 at half time.
Jack and the forwards were now scrummaging much better, and the backs were beginning to pass and run with confidence, and deny Esher space when defending. Toby was a rock at full back and counter attacked with great determination and James tackled well in mid field. After a lot of pressure Alex crashed over, peeling yet again off a maul to make the score 15-15. Esher came back at us and were only denied a winning score by a great tackle from Charlie, forcing the player into touch, and the draw was seen as a fair result.
As always the boys showed real character and fight after a slow start, and when we go forward hard the game is easy! Player of the Day was Alex for another hard working performance in the loose, great mauling and leg pumping running ball in hand.
Simon
U11s vs Midhurst & Eastbourne
Last Sunday saw the first truly winter match of the season with Siberian winds blowing across the pitch. The picturesque location of Midhurst did something to distract along with some excellent rugby from the boys. After a brief 'warm up' a triangular match between Cranleigh Midhurst and Eastbourne was decided on.
First up was the Cranleigh Midhurst game which was a hard and evenly fought match - impressive as there were a number of U12's in the Midhurst team + 1 we borrowed. The boys battled hard and although the rucking and tackles were not up to the normal standard the ball handling was excellent. Midhurst scored 2 quick run away tries however were unable to convert - some excellent scaring tactics from our boys. We battled back and Joe scored an excellent try before half time which was duly converted by Daniel. The second half saw a steady improvement in the standard of rugby with Cranleigh scoring the next try and conversion to go into the lead 14-10. Just before the final whistle another run away try saw Midhurst snatch the game with a try and conversion finishing the game with a 14 - 17 score line.
The second game saw a very different match with Cranleigh dominating play. The forward pushed up hard and gave the backs plenty of scope for some lovely running with excellent tries coming in from Alex, Andrew, Tom and Joe. Daniel had his kicking boots converting all but one (without the cone) with the final score ending 26 - 0.
Player of the day went to Alex who showed great strength and tenacity running hard at the opposition.
Sam
U11s @ Alton
Our 9 brave souls ventured down to Alton this Sunday where they have a squad of 20. After a joint training session focusing on handling we played our first 40 minute game following 11:00 and paying our respects. Joe was captain for the day with Bill leading the pack. We started playing uphill, and despite that started brightly. Although twice kicking away possession we scored the first try through Daniel, which James duly converted. Alton then began to get on top and scored two tries to finish the half.
In the second half, we played all the rugby, and could have been 21-7 down but for James pushing their player into touch as he tried to ground the ball. It would have been their second break-away try, but it would have been undeserved and most referees would have called play back to the Alton goal line for handing off. Our pack began to tire, not surprising since two of their pack were three times the size of any of our forwards. As a result we had no platform, however despite this we continued to run at every opportunity, and finally drew level through Joe’s deserved run.
Realistically, it was a game to have won, but I was very pleased with how we played in our first real game. In the forwards Bill lead from the front, with some very good support from Alex, indeed one of them should have scored in the first half, but the ball was wrenched free as Alex tried to ground it. The forwards still need to "hunt as a pack" and too many of them still ball watch at the breakdown. We never won clean line out ball (neither did they), and the scrum was under so much pressure that we also failed to hook the ball cleanly.
In the backs, once the boys realized that running was a better option, we performed very well. Joe was player of the day (Although Andrew toiled well to get the ball to him, and could have won it, but for letting his temper get the better of him). Joe does need to trust his outside backs, instead of trying to do it all. He did tend to run away from his supporting backs, and very tired forwards in an effort to get us the win.
The boys did play all the rugby, and all the parents should be proud. There is much work to be done, hopefully they will keep up the good work at Midhurst.
Simon
Waverley Festival
We borrowed players from Guildford and played 4 'halves' against a well drilled Farnham team, who won but not too comfortably. The boys commitment was great and they learnt a lot very quickly.
We are not going to Guildfordians this Sunday and will be training at home on the top pitch over the road as usual.
Simon
