Fwd: Match Report: October 12th 2014 vs. Newcastle Hi All, Please see below Gary Kibbles match report for our first game in this important season: *Match Report: October 12th 2014 vs. Newcastle* In the words of an infamous rugby commentator....*Rugby is like war; easy to start, difficult to stop....and impossible to forget* And so the first game of the 2014/ 15 season started. A big game in the short lives of the under 9 Crewe and Nantwich team. The first ever competitive game of contact that, I hope, they will remember for a very long time. Crewe and Nantwich fielded 3 very strong teams whilst newcastle fielded one team and what they lacked in quantity, they made up for in quality. Play was a credit to the hard-work of the coaches and children in the past 5-6 weeks and, as a consequence, was a pleasure to watch. If you ever doubted that this team were ready to move from tag to full contact, today would have erased those doubts.... First up was team 1 made up of Reagan, Oscar, Harry, Nathan, Joseph, Dan and Mickey. Gone are the days of end to end tag where the winner tended to be dictated by whoever kicked off first, this was a game full of turn-over ball, of crunching tackles and darting, inspired runs. Joseph was the stand out player digging in and not letting anyone past him with some brilliant tackles that flattened a strong newcastle side. Some brilliant team-work ensured that if the tackle was made near a touchline, newcastle were forced out and C&N secured the turn over ball. In the first half, Joseph secured early possession and then allowed an offload that went along the backs to Oscar on the wing. His giraffe like features allowed him to receive the ball as the outside man and make a laser like run for the first try, a response to the newcastle try early on in the first half. Dan was awesome in defence and attack, going in low on an attacking Newcastle team and showing us all how to tackle the opposition. The team performed well in the first half but went into half time 3-1 down. In the second half, Reagan stepped up her game and made sure it wasnt just the boys who were lighting up the pitch. Again, some great tackling and some strong attacking play led to Joseph driving hard for C&Ns second try. At 3-2 all was to play for. Mikey drove hard and held good possession, listening to the call for the off-load which was taken by Harry whos darting run cut the Newcastle defence in half only to be flattened by Newcastles answer to a wall. A brilliant demonstration of rugby in the first game of the season, against a Newcastle team who had played a tournament a week earlier, was inspirational and a credit to players and coaches. At full time, newcastle went on to win 3-2 from C&N. Next up was match 2...Charlie, Luke, Sammy, Zak, Toby, Tom and henry. The players from team 2 continued in the vain that team 1 finished in. Sammy was like a one-man rugby team and it felt like every tackle being made involved Sammy. In the first half, the boys battled well and contested every ball. Luke, a relatively new player to the team, shone in his tackling and was in the thick of it all the time. On one occasion a high tackle was called out by the referee and, hands shaken, the game continued. Responding to Newcastles first try, Sammy received the ball from the kick-off and cut through the Newcastle defence with Usain Bolt esque pace and determination, securing a C&N try. Zak really came to the fore in the hotly contested and aggresive game, scoring 3 tries and tackling well. At half time with 2 tries from Zak and 2 from Sammy, C&N went in for half time at 5-5. An inspired half time talk meant the boys came out chompng at the bit, The boys went ahead shortly after half time as the offloads went down the backs to Henry who had a great game on the wing. Henry secured his first try to add to his tally of tackles. Charlie took a knock in the second half and was taken off for several minutues but after Reagan subd for him, he soon recovered and was back in the thick of it. Tom almost secured a try before full time but was taken out by a brilliant tackle from one of the Newcastle boys. An inspired performance from C&N that saw them go into half time at 5-5 but conceded to a stronger second half from Newcastle, closing a full time score 7-10 to Newcastle. Team 3 was made up of Angus, Mikey, Joseph, Isaac, Harry, Jay and Oliver. Early on in the 2nd half, Mikey showed good use of the sidelines, driving Newcastle out with every tackle he made. Joseph continued his run of form from game 1 delivering some great tackles, decisive runs and timely off-loads. Some great footwork by Angus delivered the first Crewe and Nantwich try, testament to anyone who doubts the role ballet can play in creating great rugby players. He delivered 2 tries against a tired Newcastle side. Last years players *Player Of The Year* showed us why he won the award with an inspired try that allowed C&N to go into half time 2-0 ahead. Newcastle came out for the 2nd half wanting C&N and took a try immediately from the off, with a run that made the Newcastle players look like slippery eels. Making the tackle was the key today and Jay showed us how it was done with some decisive tackles that stopped a rampant Newcastle side. Once Jay had made the tackle, C&N got a turn-over ball which off-loaded to Harry who off-loaded through to Oliver who found himself in plenty of space. A few side-steps and the try line was in sight. Oliver made the line before Newcastle dived in with a lunging tackle. C&N ended winning the third and final match 3-2. A great day and a great start to the season. Thanks again to all players, coaches and parents. Heres to next weekend and a tough game against Northwich.
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 16:34:08 +0000