Today was a training day and irrespective of the rain, we had a good turn out (and with another new face). Though it was damp, it was still quite mild and the players seemed to keep warm without too much trouble. Training concentrated on improving our game play following on from the last three weekends of festivals. The first drill, which was a new one, involved a lot of running and brought in some competitiveness that seem to be enjoyed by all. The drills went on for a bit longer than usual, before a couple of games were played, each team playing against two others giving players the opportunity to test themselves against different players.
There are now no more festivals until into 2009 and so if the full squad are able to turn up each week we would have about 40 players every time.
The next five weeks are away friendly games, the first one being Dorking. Weather forecasts are for the weather to turn very cold during the coming week and those who have been to Dorking before, will remember it as a very exposed site. Remember to have lots of layers to keep the players warm, not forgetting a waterproof layer if the weather looks to be damp.
Sunday, 26 October 2008
Sunday, 19 October 2008
Sunday 19 October
Well, we had the last of our three festival weekends, with wins for both the Black and Gold squads.
It was a long old day with the tents being put up shortly after 8 am in the morning, with most of the coaches there by 8.45am and then not getting away until 4pm due to assisting with refereeing and touch judging the semi finals and finals (Thanks). Thank you also to all those parents who volunteered for this festival with parking and pitch marshalling etc.
As said, both Blacks and Golds won a game, but lost their other two games. Within their pools both were placed third out of the four teams. One more win or draw could have placed both in the semi finals. The team that did best against both squads were Windsor, who went on to win both the A and B festival for the under 8's.
Golds played really well and the margin of their results was much narrower than at the Wimbledon festival the week before, so well done. Good support play and straighter runs were a feature of their play. Blacks played well too, with similar margins in their games, but did not seem to play to their full potential as a team, not displaying the same coherence that was seen at the Cobham festival. A win for both teams is an improvement and are results we can seek to build on in the festivals we attend later in the season.
Next week we have training at home, before a run of planned away games, which will include some of the teams we have met in these recent festivals.
It was a long old day with the tents being put up shortly after 8 am in the morning, with most of the coaches there by 8.45am and then not getting away until 4pm due to assisting with refereeing and touch judging the semi finals and finals (Thanks). Thank you also to all those parents who volunteered for this festival with parking and pitch marshalling etc.
As said, both Blacks and Golds won a game, but lost their other two games. Within their pools both were placed third out of the four teams. One more win or draw could have placed both in the semi finals. The team that did best against both squads were Windsor, who went on to win both the A and B festival for the under 8's.
Golds played really well and the margin of their results was much narrower than at the Wimbledon festival the week before, so well done. Good support play and straighter runs were a feature of their play. Blacks played well too, with similar margins in their games, but did not seem to play to their full potential as a team, not displaying the same coherence that was seen at the Cobham festival. A win for both teams is an improvement and are results we can seek to build on in the festivals we attend later in the season.
Next week we have training at home, before a run of planned away games, which will include some of the teams we have met in these recent festivals.
Monday, 13 October 2008
Sunday 12 October
The sun shone for the B's festival at Wimbledon, and for the training held back at Camberley.
The opposition were tough at the Wimbledon festival and in our group we drew one game but lost the other three. Simple errors leading to the ball being turned over were the difference but we also showed skills that we can build and improve on, to do better next time.
In training at Camberley, drills were run that followed on from the previous weeks festival and to train in areas where it was identified we may not be as strong as we would like to be.
We continue to enjoy ourselves but, look forward to being more successful and increase our enjoyment even more with some wins under our belt.
The opposition were tough at the Wimbledon festival and in our group we drew one game but lost the other three. Simple errors leading to the ball being turned over were the difference but we also showed skills that we can build and improve on, to do better next time.
In training at Camberley, drills were run that followed on from the previous weeks festival and to train in areas where it was identified we may not be as strong as we would like to be.
We continue to enjoy ourselves but, look forward to being more successful and increase our enjoyment even more with some wins under our belt.
Sunday, 5 October 2008
Sunday 5 October
There is one word that amply encompasses the Cobham festival, and that is Wet! It did not let off raining for the duration of the time we were there. Many thanks to Tracie Dugmore and the sponsorship she obtained from RBS to purchase the two tents. they were well used today. Much appreciated.
At the festival other team coaches were overheard saying that we had the best handling skills of all the teams, which is fantastic, and this is an excellent commendation to the skills of our players, well done. In addition to this we scored some storming tries, did some good support play and made good use of the space. Disappointingly, we did not win any of our three games, but drew one and lost two. However this said, all these games were high scoring and in those games we did lose it was only by one or two tries. We will take note of what we did well and build on those areas where we can continue to improve.
We wish good rugby and good luck for the festival next weekend.
At the festival other team coaches were overheard saying that we had the best handling skills of all the teams, which is fantastic, and this is an excellent commendation to the skills of our players, well done. In addition to this we scored some storming tries, did some good support play and made good use of the space. Disappointingly, we did not win any of our three games, but drew one and lost two. However this said, all these games were high scoring and in those games we did lose it was only by one or two tries. We will take note of what we did well and build on those areas where we can continue to improve.
We wish good rugby and good luck for the festival next weekend.
Saturday 4 October
Training was good on Saturday. The rain held off and being the only squad training we had lots of space to use. Turnout was good based on other commitments players had on Saturdays, with half the squad turning out. Drills included work on tagging, looking for space and passing. We even had one new player turn up to see what we were all about. Tomorrow is the first of the festivals with a poor weather forecast predicted so plenty of layers and waterproofs are the order of the day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
