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| Senior Rugby v Balla |
The 1st XV played very well for long periods of the game, but were a bit lightweight in the forwards and lacking in penetration and the ability to exploit the overlaps in the backs. After going 5-0 down early in the game our lads had long periods of possession which enabled them to keep Balla under pressure in their half for long spells, but they lacked the incisive runner who could take the ball at speed and make significant inroads iinto the Balla defence, which held firm throughout. The forwards work was good a lot of the time, but there were too many occasions when players got into poor body positions in contact and didn't lay the ball back well, leading to turnovers; also there were plenty of times when we'd won the ball, but either didn't get the ball out quickly from rucks, or the ball got stuck in a ruck and we were counter-rucked by Balla's big strong forwards. Just about every time we went into contact too high and a maul was set up, we lost the ball or gave the scrum to Balla, which their very good hooker took advantage of every time.
At half time the score remained 0-5 and we were well in the game; however, in the second half Balla's fly half used his kicking game to good advantage and varied long kicks, with little chips behind our defence and our positional play at the back was exposed. Some poor tackiling as well was a feature in the second half as Balla ran in three more tries, and whilst we scrambled a try near the end - it was always our opponents who looked threatening with the ball and we 'never looked like scoring' [quote from Murray Cringle!!!]. I had to agree though, as Balla's defence was strong and we lacked penetration in all areas.
Therre were plenty of positives though and the back row's support play was very good - a reflection on their fitness and commitment. At scrum half Jack Callaghan made some good breaks in the first half and George Miller's progress at Fly Half continues; Tom Kelly looked increasingly hungry out on the wing and when Tyler Price gets the ball he looks dangerous, but he has much work to do on his positional play. Ben Kelly put in a few crucial tackles at Full Back.
In the Front five Jack Sleight looked strong but must sort out his striking in the scrum and lineout throwing, whilst Jimmy Olerenshaw's ability to find gaps in the tight defence gives a target for the back row.
All in all, this is a young side who will grow and mature together; they have a lot of potential, but need to be working together regularly to sort out some basics and fine tune the rest.
QE2 next week who lost to Balla by a similar score - so this is a must win game.
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