1) We are 2-0 in matrix play
2) 2-0 means squat if we lose to our toughest opponent, Charleston.

With that in mind I would encourage everyone to continue to come to training. Our next matrix game is 3/22 but we cannot afford to take a break.

The scouting report on Charleston is they are strong at home and VERY, VERY fit. During the fall season they scored 208 points. 141 of those points were scored by 5 players in 3 positions: Eight, Hooker, Scrum Half. All of those points were scored when those players came into the back line to create an overload or ran back row plays to stretch the defense. That is a very strong indication of their speed and fitness. That trend continues with them in the spring.

We need to be able to run with them for a FULL 80 minutes.

On to Augusta:
First the Killer B's: More rugby in the rain. Add to that a beach in the middle of the pitch and it was a sloppy day. Handicapped by Growler at wing and Hix in the Centers, The Killer B's still managed to dominate the match! Excellent forward play and outstanding loose play by all! I am very confident that we have the depth to go as far as we want in Matrix play. And nobody in a starting position should feel they have it locked in!! I had the score as 12-0 but have been told it was more. Thanks to everyone that went down to play. We traveled with 26 players!! (that's got to be a High C record for an away game!!)

Once again getting to the game early and being warmed up and focused allowed us to come out very strong and score quickly. despite the weather we continued to keep pressure on them and Augusta never really mounted an offensive threat.

Our forwards again stepped up their game and were quite simply amazing! Loose play was brilliant! We drove deep holes in their defense with quick ball off the breakdowns and only wet conditions kept us from stringing together the phase that was available to us that day. The Backline also had a very nice day. Defense was very good and offensively we showed the tremendous potential we have. Making several deep drives we managed to keep Augusta pinned in their half but were frustrated by knock-ons and poor passes. Fortunately we stepped our game defensively from weeks past and regained possession. Two push over tries highlighted the first half and we closed the half up 19-0.

In the second half, Augusta made some changes in the pack that made us work a little harder, but we still managed a THIRD!! push over try. The backs continued to run at will, but a narrow pitch and sloppy conditions continued to frustrate our attempts to finish off our drives. The whistle sounded at 29-0 High Country. I can't single out a Man of the Match. Everyone stepped up their game!

Things that went well: Forwards: Good in loose play, Line Outs and good set pieces against a bigger pack. Backs: Good ball handling and passing, excellent play execution and much better kicking game.

Things to work on: Forwards: don't make sloppy passes- Go to ground and retain possession. Backs: Learn to adapt and work a narrow pitch- Run more vertical and use outside crashes and cut backs.

Two down. One to go. Keep training. Keep Focused!!

Cheers!
Buddha