27 Sep 2008 - Nailsea & Backwell 1st XV 3 St Bernadettes Old Boys 1st XV 9
Nailsea & Backwell 1st XV 3 St Bernadettes Old Boys 1st XV 9
The test that was really needed came for Nailsea and sadly they weren’t up to the challenge on the day. There was more desire from the visiting Old Boy’s and a little more fitness and edge. To watch the game well!
Three penalties to one. It wasn’t a spectacle but it was a nail biter. The battle of the forwards was won by the OB’s pack and the backs from Nailsea could not see to pick their way through the organised defence. That said they did create chances. Good handling on a number of occasions created opportunities but they weren’t taken or finished cleanly.
On the day there was a lot of sideways movement that didn’t really cause that many problems for the visitors. Game understanding was missing from key players.
One thing though that was clear was the real desire and passion of the St Bernadettes players to win. They clearly thought this was an important game.
One that would put them on the road back to the premier division. So win they did. Not comfortably but a win is exactly that. It doesn’t matter how.
The Nailsea skipper may well rue the decisions to run the ball when points were on offer from kickable positions when the score line was 3 – 6 to the visitors and lots of pressure had been exerted by the Nailsea team. If the game had of been decided on time spent in oppositions half then Nailsea would of won however games are still won by points and good decisions. Nailsea lacked both on the day and looked very tired at the end of the game. Clearly some of the players are not fit enough and don’t appear to know what they should be doing in certain areas of the field. That wont be learnt one hour before kick off on a Saturday.
Need it be said again that “if you always do what you have always done you get what you have always got”
Rugby is an emotional game, something special. For some it is what weekends are for. That is how it should be. Currently 75% fill the criteria.
There were positives for the home side and one was certainly the performance of the new openside wing forward Lewis Sweet who has made his way back into the game after a string of unfortunate injuries over the last four or five years. Dickie Palmer again gave all he could but now goes on holiday and the second team captain Steve Gillard coming in at hooker and really giving his all, performing well.
The clear disappointment afterwards at defeat was positive and good to see. However that passion and emotion is needed before and during. Talk is cheap as they say.
Hindsight is a wonderful thing, its now history lets move on !