14 High Country Rugby Football Club - 26 Athens RFC

Game Summary

For the 2nd week in a row the opponent was able to establish itself early and often at the gain line. Athens kept their game simple and fairly efficient as fringe running success led to confidence and ultimately territory and points.

After an early unconverted Athens try, the opponent kicked 3 successive penalties to make the half time score 14-0. The first half can be characterized by one team (Athens) controlling the gain line. High Country still had it’s troubles with its fringe defense, alignment and especially lacked firing up and taking away the “free territory” around the rucks. Many times the HC defense froze and waited for its opponent to get to full speed and run into the tackle contest. As an observer, I could see Athens’ confidence building and building as every player wanted to take a crack at our line. Serving them tea and cookies was then only thing lacking from our defensive posture. I know, harsh, but true.

Now for the good part. Somehow (either by a personnel or attitude change or most likely Troy’s 60 yard try) HC started to take back the gain line and for the first consistent period of play, had a complete GO FORWARD aura about its play. Success started breeding success and that go forward style of play amounted in 2 converted tries in the 2nd half. Near the end of the game, unfortunately, the 1st half style of play crept back in and nailed in down for Athens.

Overall, the scrummaging looked much better this week as we seemed to be able to lock out on our own put ins and mess with their scrums occasionally. The line outs need more work. The wind did not help, but our throws are not hitting a man at the height of his jump, thus making the ball “contestable” even when the other team is lifting later than us. Throwers need to hit a target like this photo shows:

Anyway, another incomplete game that showed promise particularly if the players remember the “go forward” feeling we had and emulate it for 80 minutes, not 30.

Man of the match was your captain who changed the momentum of the game. Honorable mention was everyone who took their head out of their asses and started playing go forward rugby.

Things to work on:

· Scrums – More consistency, more reps

· Line outs – More consistency. More reps. Accurate throws and jumps

· Defense – Taking the gain line, controlling the contact

· Rucks – Get lower and get over without diving over. Deciding if you are in or out of them.

· Mauls – Getting reps in so that we are comfortable do this in a game

· Kicking – We are going to add some proper tactical kicking to our game this week, not just kicking to relieve pressure.

· Body Height – Too many guys running in high and not controlling the contact.

“Teams do not go physically flat, they go mentally stale.” – Guess who…..Lombardi

See you tomorrow boys @ 6:50pm

Mitch