U12/11B Rugby v Loretto

Won 14-9

An amazing game of attacking (less-so the defending in the first half) rugby at Newfield this afternoon. The boys were up against a much bigger and older opposition but the emphasis in the team talk was on using speed and agility to gain victory. And that is how we did it. Loretto scored in the opening seconds with us not really fancying taking on the big boy in the tackle. We had to work hard at equalising but some great running and passing allowed Arran to finish in the corner soon after. The match seemed to repeat itself over and over as we allowed their big players to run through us to score their tries and our smaller, more nimble players, danced around them to score ours. However, mid-way through the first half, we began to compete better at the breakdown and create a few turnovers and got ourselves ahead at the break by just one try, making it 8-7. The moment of the first half was Arran’s kick ahead for Archer to chase in behind, gather and run the rest of the field to score.

At half time, we talked about team tackling and taking on the big boys by committing to the tackle in numbers. This worked as Loretto struggled to use their size advantage they had in the first half. Some of our best tackling in the second half came from Magnus who really committed himself for the cause and at one point left him a bit winded and bruised but he battled on! We continued to play some expansive, attacking rugby, looking to spread the ball wide with our wingers finishing things off. Ezra was outstanding out wide as our last man, getting fed passes from brother Ensay at outside centre. Charlie led the team admirably as captain as he carried the ball with ferocity and determination and did a lot of clearing out at the ruck to allow for quick ball. Archer continued to show some prowess with the quick step and Benji, who grew into the game was excellent at the breakdown and in the scrum half position feeding the 10. This was often Raffi, whose first instinct was to pass again and this helped set up a number of our tries.

Players of the match were Arran and Archer for their excellent all-round play. Well done, boys! A great start to the season against a larger opposition…skill won over size on the day!