St.Neots Mini Rugby Under 9's Match Report 7th December 2009

This week the St.Neots under 9's were facing Peterborough at home in St.Neots. A few absentees this week so the selection would be limited, but on the upside every player would get a good run out and show the coaching team what they were made of. To start with Bryan took the backs and Jim took the forwards to jeer them up a little before the contest would start. Ian was reffing his first competitive game and what a game to start your reffing career. Who remembers the flack Bryan got the the 3 Peterborough witches at their ground last year. Obviously Ian didn't!!!

The first 2 games saw St. Neots giving away needless posession with wild passing when tackled, particularly on their own line, which inevitably led to try scoring opportunites for Peterborough. However, after being absent for a few weeks, I could clearly see a vast improvement in the overal structure of the team with the forwards driving over the ball now a second nature. Also the boys now seem to be much more focussed and are taking the sport much more seriously and look like a team who want the win! I was also delighted to see the ball being moved quickly and intelligently through the line out to the wings. There was some great individual play as well throughout the field on both games.What needs to be addressed going forward is the support play when a back goes on the run. Too often, they would go to ground with a long delay before the infantry arrived. The final game I can not comment on as took home a poor sickly child suffering from a seasonal cough and cold. Well done all - including the ref!!!