Wow the players just get better and better.
After a super performance last weekend the squads have gone on to show that they can play even better and greater rugby. The play today has been, without a doubt, the best the players have produced yet. The blacks won two out of three of their games in their pool and got into the semi finals play off. Their play just seemed to improve, game by game, matching the play of Richmond in their semi final in what was really a very close match.
And the golds were in the plate semi final. They pulled out all the stops in their semi final and without the luxury of any substitutes by this stage, they played their best game and were close to securing a place in the plate final by the matter of one try.
If you check out the photos of the festival you can see how the players have their eye on where the ball is and are there in support. It is a team game after all and the players were really pulling together.
I think an appreciation should be registered for the coaches too, as not only have they brought us to being here, but their skilled and unbiased refereeing was obviously also well valued, as we were requested to referee in two of the finals for both the A and B festivals.
After the high of the last two weeks, we are training at home next week.
Sunday, 29 March 2009
Sunday, 22 March 2009
Sunday 22 March - Surrey Development festival
Those of you who were at the festival today, may have noticed the water bottles we were able to bring on at half time. These have been funded from further sponsorship from RBS, courtesey of Tracie Dugmore. The funds secured will also be used to purchase new poles and more water bottles to cover the whole squad as we hope to enter A, B and C festivals next season. We should not forget that the sponsorship from RBS has already paid for the two day tents we use at festivals and of course the sponsorship from BOC, which paid for the squad jackets. Many thanks to Tracie & Antony Dugmore and RBS & BOC for these funds which have benefitted the players.
Anway, turning to today, we were lucky enough to be able to enter two teams in the festival, and this gave the opportunity for everyone in the whole squad, who was available, to be able to take part in the Surrey festivals. For some of our players this was their first festival attendance a matter of weeks after joining Camberley Rugby club.
The Black and Golds squads played in separate pools. Although the Golds did not achieve any victories in their pool, they did score tries in every game, something not all the teams were able to do. This is something to be held as an achievement as it showed we did break through the defences where others could not. In their last game, they held out well against their opponents who repeatedly turned over the ball, but unfortunately we were not able to take full advantage of this. We turned over the ball ourselves and so need to concentrate on skills of accurate passing and catching which we can carry through to next season.
The Blacks had a little more success; in winning their first game 8-4 they demonstrated some good play - solid defending, support and passing of the ball. In their second game, they fought back from being 3-0 down at half time to bring the score back to 3-3 and lost out on the final play of the match to go down 3-4. In the last two games our play did not demonstrate the same levels of accomplishment and due to small mistakes, that resulted in turnover ball, we lost these games too. Again errors in passing and catching contributed. These are core skills and players need to concentrate on passing accurately and keeping hold of the ball. Support is also vital.
Next week we have another festival at Effingham and Leatherhead. For those who remember last year, we can only hope that conditions and the weather are better - this however would not be difficult!
Anway, turning to today, we were lucky enough to be able to enter two teams in the festival, and this gave the opportunity for everyone in the whole squad, who was available, to be able to take part in the Surrey festivals. For some of our players this was their first festival attendance a matter of weeks after joining Camberley Rugby club.
The Black and Golds squads played in separate pools. Although the Golds did not achieve any victories in their pool, they did score tries in every game, something not all the teams were able to do. This is something to be held as an achievement as it showed we did break through the defences where others could not. In their last game, they held out well against their opponents who repeatedly turned over the ball, but unfortunately we were not able to take full advantage of this. We turned over the ball ourselves and so need to concentrate on skills of accurate passing and catching which we can carry through to next season.
The Blacks had a little more success; in winning their first game 8-4 they demonstrated some good play - solid defending, support and passing of the ball. In their second game, they fought back from being 3-0 down at half time to bring the score back to 3-3 and lost out on the final play of the match to go down 3-4. In the last two games our play did not demonstrate the same levels of accomplishment and due to small mistakes, that resulted in turnover ball, we lost these games too. Again errors in passing and catching contributed. These are core skills and players need to concentrate on passing accurately and keeping hold of the ball. Support is also vital.
Next week we have another festival at Effingham and Leatherhead. For those who remember last year, we can only hope that conditions and the weather are better - this however would not be difficult!
Monday, 16 March 2009
Sunday 15 March - at home
Today we had Newbury visiting. As part of the arrangements for Newbury's visit, we sought further clarification on when we can introduce training for the tackle and, contrary to the advice we had received previously, were given a revised date of September 2009!! Whilst we will clearly alter our coaching plans because of this we intend to continue playing games of touch.
Anyway, we had fantastic weather which was lovely for everyone. Training started with games of tag and then went into drills which concentrated on maintaining position and passing. Games of tag were then played against Newbury. Where we played full strength Newbury squads we won two games, drew one and lost one, which is great. We also played a Bar-bars team, meaning that everyone got a chance to play. All our players did well, running hard, taking tags and using the space available - well done, keep it up.
The next two weekends we have festivals and so there will be no training for those that are not selected. Sunday 22 March is the Surrey Development festival, held at Watchetts - everyone is welcome to come along and support those playing; there will be at least 4 players there just to cheer our two teams on. Sunday 29 March is the Effingham & Leatherhead festival. Again supporters are welcome, but it is obviously that bit more distant. Coaches have fingers crossed for better weather this year. Bring waterproofs just in case.
Anyway, we had fantastic weather which was lovely for everyone. Training started with games of tag and then went into drills which concentrated on maintaining position and passing. Games of tag were then played against Newbury. Where we played full strength Newbury squads we won two games, drew one and lost one, which is great. We also played a Bar-bars team, meaning that everyone got a chance to play. All our players did well, running hard, taking tags and using the space available - well done, keep it up.
The next two weekends we have festivals and so there will be no training for those that are not selected. Sunday 22 March is the Surrey Development festival, held at Watchetts - everyone is welcome to come along and support those playing; there will be at least 4 players there just to cheer our two teams on. Sunday 29 March is the Effingham & Leatherhead festival. Again supporters are welcome, but it is obviously that bit more distant. Coaches have fingers crossed for better weather this year. Bring waterproofs just in case.
Sunday, 8 March 2009
Sunday 8 March - training
Well, as planned, we played a full contact rugby game today. Beforehand drills were practised which covered passing the ball, the tackle and srummaging. But as said, we played full contact rugby today! Each time play stopped, bodies were picked up off the pitch, there were bruises, bumps, scrapes etc in abundance and even one minor blood injury. Did it put the players off? Well, the general consensus seems to be that it was fantastic fun. From a spectators point of view it is a much more interesting game to watch than a tag rugby game.
From back at the beginning of the season, we practised falling over, and today there were few, if any, instances of arms being put out to break the fall which is good, as this should avoid injuries. Some tackles were above the armpits, and so were high, this will need to be worked on. Players could also offload sooner, but this will hopefully become more natural, in the attempt to avoid being tackled and so save the pain.
Next week we are at home with Newbury visiting (so no full contact games I'm afraid)
From back at the beginning of the season, we practised falling over, and today there were few, if any, instances of arms being put out to break the fall which is good, as this should avoid injuries. Some tackles were above the armpits, and so were high, this will need to be worked on. Players could also offload sooner, but this will hopefully become more natural, in the attempt to avoid being tackled and so save the pain.
Next week we are at home with Newbury visiting (so no full contact games I'm afraid)
Sunday, 1 March 2009
Sunday 1 March - home to Petersfield
We are now into the final couple of months of the season and our drills continue to be focussed on training for the tackle. We had Petersfield visiting and after some decision making drills to make both attacking and defending teams react to different situations in which all players took part, we then split into Camberley and Petersfield groups to focus on different tackling drills. Camberley continued to train for making the tackle on the move, whereas Petersfield concentrated on learning how to fall safely.
Games of touch were played at the start of the session and at the end. Camberley played well against Petersfield winning one game and drawing the other (albeit we had the majority of the possession), with some players now applying skills more applicable to a contact game. The core skills of accurate passing, catching and staying on side still need to be improved for some players to reduce the instances of turnover ball however. This said, the skills shown today across the squad, show players getting the ball away quickly after the tackle and this is getting better week on week! Well done.
Next week - training at home.
Games of touch were played at the start of the session and at the end. Camberley played well against Petersfield winning one game and drawing the other (albeit we had the majority of the possession), with some players now applying skills more applicable to a contact game. The core skills of accurate passing, catching and staying on side still need to be improved for some players to reduce the instances of turnover ball however. This said, the skills shown today across the squad, show players getting the ball away quickly after the tackle and this is getting better week on week! Well done.
Next week - training at home.
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