What a tremendous game of rugby between two good sides and although we ran out winners in the end, by a couple of tries, I think, it was fabulous to see both sides running the ball with intent, working really hard at the breakdown and keen to get the ball out in to the wide channels. I was really pleased with the commitment of the forwards today: the last couple of sessions we have focused on getting to the ruck and working hard when you get there, and this afternoon, we probably just edged the breakdown, securing our ball and recycling quickly and effectively. There are still one or two arriving at a jog and then leaning rather than hitting the ruck at pace and driving the legs, but Theo at scrum half was able to clear the ball away pretty well and as the forwards get fitter and understand this aspect of the game a bit better, we shall continue to improve and really drive the opposition off the ball at pace. Harry, Tristan and Monty all carried well and made holes in the Fettes defence. Our backs were led by James at 10 and Rafa at 12, and this was a key axis on which the game was won: James' silky feet allowed him to run in to space and get over the gainline, and Rafa hit some terrific lines off him which allowed him to get behind the Fettes tacklers or else put Jamie in to space and he too had a fine game at 13. We began to off load reasonably well too, and as confidence and understanding increases, we will get better at this: deciding when to go to ground and when to off load is a key skill, but you need the supporting runners in order to do this, and this will come as the season progresses. Defensively, our tackling was pretty good although one or two tried to use arms (unsuccessfully!) rather than shoulders and bands of still: it is important everyone does their job on this front and not leave it to others! Well done to James who pulled off some textbook tackles round the legs to prevent tries being scored!
However, a super game and we scored some excellent tries and deserved to come out on top in the end. Well played, boys - you really are working hard as a group and making real improvements in all aspects of the game which is all you can ask!
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