8 Nov 2008 - N & B 1st XV 84 v Bristol Barbarians 10
Nailsea & Backwell 1st XV 84 Bristol Barbarians 10
Some excellent rugby was played today and again a good positive selection of our colts players were on display. Early in the game it was very clear that if the N&B backs moved the ball after set phases then they would cause their opposition problems. Goodall & Watkins asked questions of the visitors defence continually and took their opportunities to score very well in the first quarter of an hour. Goodall in only his second week back in the first team really picked some excellent running lines to open up the defence. However this good ball the backs were getting was coming from a solid platform created by the ever improving Nailsea pack and a good links in the halfbacks in the shape of colts Nathan Dowling and Rob Baker. Dowling still has much to learn however is doing a good job and will benefit in maturity and confidence from the senior experience he is getting. He will also benefit, as will others from training regularly. The back row of McMillan, Balsam another colt and Palmer worked very hard to support the midfield runners early on and also were prepared to do the hard yards when required. This resulted in Harry Balsam tracking a break in midfield and running from 30 metres out to really stretch over the line as he was tackled to get his first, first team try. This was a reward for the hard work he has put in recently to get into the team. It certainly wont be his last. Balsam’s tackling was also a real feature of this game. Some of the work on his defence is starting to really pay off. The number eight on the day McMillan scored a hat trick of tries. He showed that hard work in a game can pay off and even though far from match fit he is happy to do the things some don’t like doing in and around the contact area. Mentions should be given of Rob Lee who was impressive both in the scrummage and around the paddock. His fitness generally is a credit to him and it is that fitness that is giving him the edge at the moment. Another who is fit and benefits from it is James Stayley who scored another try this week. He had another impressive game in the second row, not a natural position for him but one he is currently excelling in and giving another dimension to the ability of the pack to get around the park. In his instance showing the need for second rows to hit rucks time after time.
Generally that one negative area the N&B rucking needs to improve. There are one or two players that happily hit rucks hard and know what to do when they get there. Still though some are lazy in the ruck area and think it is a suitable place to hide or rest. This can be worked on however the fitness level is a personal problem. Another hat trick of tries on the day came to ever improving Rob Baker who gave us glimpses of the talent he has. His confidence, side step and acceleration to go over for his second try were quite outstanding. The other winger to benefit from the style of rugby on the day was Jason Patch who got two tries to keep up his record of scoring in every game he has played this season.
The day also led to a first team debut for Tom Fletcher (17yrs) who in coming on in the second half in the back row with colts captain Pete Hamlin made a third of the first team under 19 years of age. (That’s six out of eighteen, front row !)
Overall the team performance was excellent and the man of the match award was shared by Scott Goodall and Wayne McMillan.
Probably the best performance of the season so far and that’s not just because of the score. The team should now build on this with tougher fixtures to come in the next few weeks. It was also pleasing to see that some things were learnt in the 40 minutes before kick off. Hopefully nothing will be taken for granted and players will continue to understand that next weeks match preparation begins on a Tuesday night. The culmination of all that preparation if you have taken part then commences at one o clock on a Saturday !
