15 Nov 2008 - Taunton 2nds 41 Nailsea and Backwell 1st XV 8
Taunton 2nds 41 Nailsea and Backwell 1st XV 8
The first team were well beaten today by a side who were probably flattered a little by the score line but if you miss tackles and kick to the strongest runner on the pitch with a poor kick chase game you will not be successful. 21 points either side of half time finished Nailsea off.
It was 5 – 3 to Taunton with 5 minutes to go until half time and Nailsea and Backwell were competing reasonably well but failing to identify that phases of play were needed. Anytime they went into contact off of first phase Nailsea were being easily turned over due to isolation and lack of numbers. There was some good work from Balsam in the back row and Ogborne in the lineouts. However Nailsea weren’t working hard enough to stay on their feet. They were stretched defensively when the home side could get the ball wide quickly and this was a problem. From Nailsea there was also a desire to move ball but often to early. Sometimes it was never an option. How right that was when just before half time possession was kicked away and Taunton scored a simple try. The only points for Nailsea came from a Lowis penalty.
12 – 3 at half time.
The players were aware at half time that if they kicked poorly and to the back three then the home side would cause problems. They also realised that they had to earn the right to go wide and not just try and spin ball every time against this team.
Taunton scored two good quick tries just after half time. Nailsea still seeing fit to give the ball to Taunton. The home, islander full back always being a threat and far to elusive for Nailsea who could not get a hand on him. Simply put the game was now over. A late consolation try again from a kick came for Rob Baker who beat the opposition to the ball and skilfully picked up the ball to score. Enough said.
The preparation was good and all who were selected went out with a really positive attitude that couldn’t be faulted. Dickie Palmer again giving his all as per usual in the centre ! It’s a great shame following last weeks win that not all our squad were available for this very important game. It doesn’t seem possible to be able to say going into important games “ We can build on last weeks performance”
I have no doubt in saying if you have some players not available in a limited squad then we will struggle to perform to the best of our ability. I am also realistic enough to know that at this level we will not always have all our first choice players available. So this was a good bump back to earth for some both on the field and more so off it.
Taunton are clearly a good side and nothing can be taken away from them. They thoroughly deserved their victory. However it must be said Nailsea aren’t as bad as they appeared on Saturday and are very capable of playing much better.
So rugby is not about what happened in the past. History is for recording. Taunton visit us at home in four weeks time so we should look forward to a better performance in that game. No one in the team liked the way they felt after the game. I hope the players remember that feeling
My thanks also go to the travelling circus !