25 Nov 2007 - Nailsea 40 - Broad Plain 6
I will start this week by informing those that do not know, Rugby is a game very similar to taking a dump on a piece of tinfoil????..If you would like to know why then speak to one of the players in the squad this week and I am sure they will enlighten you!!!! (If this wasn't a community website I would happily explain in detail for you!)In coach Hawkes pre-match Interview, he told one of our reporters that he felt this was one of the strongest and fittest sides he has been able to select this campaign and that he was looking forward to a performance to make up for last weeks double defeat.
The team had a mixture of young and old and lined up as follows: Hooper (capt), Kirk, Lee, Martin, Ogbourne, Palmer, Quick, Seidle, Goodman, Stephens, Watkins (Matt), Goodall, Blackwell, Morris, Patch - Reps - Perfect, Ford (Simon), Davie.
With a strong wind against them Nailsea started this game in similar fashion to how they are being asked not to play!, the backs were kicking good ball away (sometimes backwards!!) and again failing to use the ball in the areas where the team is effective and the forwards, albeit well contested by Plain, were also somewhat playing into the hands of Broad Plain who were strong around the fringes.
Nailsea's tendency to "run into contact" and their inability to relax and use the top two inches is something this improving squad need to put their attention towards. There were some good passages of play in this first half from Nailsea but risky errors and final passes going astray meant that the only scores came from penalties, of which both teams slotted two, Paul Stephens taking the points for Nailsea.
Half Time - 6 - 6
At half time coach Hawkes made some Mourinho type changes to the team, bringing on Tony Perfect (please see attached picture of Tony making his debut as an 18yr old back in 1965) and switching Blackwell to 12, Morris to 13 and Goodall to full-back ; a combination of these changes had a direct effect on this game as I am sure you will agree when you read how the points were scored in the second half.
Nailsea, now playing with the wind did relax into this second half and it showed immediately, The forwards were no longer over committing to the breakdown and the rugby started to flow with good quick ball and some straight running, Tom Morris broke the gain line and made good yardage before popping the ball to Perfect, who, by his own admission had a "back attack" and within his 22 yard run managed a hand-off, a pirouette, a quick flick of the hair and then crashed over the line carrying a couple of plain players for his first try in three years.
This, in effect is what turned the game and as a result of this converted try Nailsea saw the resilient heads of Broad Plain drop. The remainder of the game saw Nailsea start to dominate. Nailsea were identifying the difference between quick and slow ball and then, I am sure to the coach's delight, followed this up with the right decisions. One fine example of this, straight from the training pitch was a move that resulted in Richard Palmer crossing under the posts for Stephens to convert easily.
With Nailsea now realising that moves they practice in training will work on a Saturday decided once again from slow ball to try another set play, Stephens being the ring master (yes that is a double meaning Paul!) called and then executed this move which saw Alex Blackwell score under the posts to give Stephens another easy 2 points.
Nailsea thought they would treat the coach to a hat trick of converted training moves and duly called one from a lineout of all places, 3 set phases later and Goodall was sprinting one into the corner from just inside the opposition half, Stephens, unhappy that Goodall chose to dive toward the waiting camera rather than run it under the posts stubbornly slotted the conversion from the touchline to make the score 40 - 6 and end the game.
Although this weeks report may appear to a little more light hearted than usual there were some serious mentions that I feel should be done this week.
Second Row Andy Martin made his debut in this game and boy, what a catch he appears to be, without putting pressure on the young man, he did everything and more that was asked of him and will only get better as he beds into this side, Tony Perfect offered up something different when he came on and his experience and leadership was received well by all of his teammates. I know it is the coach's job to make decisions and that he would rather his players sometimes did this by their own accord but the tactical decision to change things in this game is without-doubt one of the reasons the score line increased in the second half, regardless of the individuals who changed positions and came onto the pitch, the dimensions certainly changed as a result of this and credit must be given to Mark Hawkes for making them.
Nailsea welcome Keynsham seconds next week at home which also marks the halfway stage of the season, look out next week for my "midway season special report" where I hope to include a coach and captain's view of the first half of the season (they'll be very similar I am sure!) and also were you will be given an exclusive look at the statistics so far this season......are you excited???......thought so!!
Final Score 40 - 6
Team (see pre-amble)
Tries: Perfect, Palmer, Blackwell, Goodall
Conv: Paul Stephens (4)
Pens: Paul Stephens (4 from 5) BP, 2
DG:
Captain super dooper pooper scooper trooper wishes he has bupa Hoopers Quote
"shoe him", "everyone likes a drink, no-one likes a drunk", "i'll punch you in the baby maker", "how did this slayed dragon get in my bedroom" and "reach inside your pants and check if you gotta set". "oh about the rugby game??!!. "Patience was the call of the day, you don't need to play rugby at 100mph and when we calmed down we proved what this team can do when we play in a relaxed, yet controlled manner"
Mark Murmurs
The richter scale was relatively quiet this week and I believe this was because before the game Mark was intoxicated by fumes from the youths in the adjacent park!!!, however, there were a few minor murmurs this week but once again was won by yours truly with a measurement of 4.6 when after being specifically instructed not to throw away 50/50 passes I duly did exactly that on the very first pass of the day?? thank god for the pre match stoners or the ground may have shook!!!!
Also, speaking of Stoners, congratulations to Matt Stone and Nicky on the birth of their baby daughter. we're all looking forward to meeting the new edition and hope both mum and baby are well.
With Nailsea now realising that moves they practice in training will work on a Saturday decided once again from slow ball to try another set play, Stephens being the ring master (yes that is a double meaning Paul!) called and then executed this move which saw Alex Blackwell score under the posts to give Stephens another easy 2 points.
Nailsea thought they would treat the coach to a hat trick of converted training moves and duly called one from a lineout of all places, 3 set phases later and Goodall was sprinting one into the corner from just inside the opposition half, Stephens, unhappy that Goodall chose to dive toward the waiting camera rather than run it under the posts stubbornly slotted the conversion from the touchline to make the score 40 - 6 and end the game.
Although this weeks report may appear to a little more light hearted than usual there were some serious mentions that I feel should be done this week.
Second Row Andy Martin made his debut in this game and boy, what a catch he appears to be, without putting pressure on the young man, he did everything and more that was asked of him and will only get better as he beds into this side, Tony Perfect offered up something different when he came on and his experience and leadership was received well by all of his teammates. I know it is the coach's job to make decisions and that he would rather his players sometimes did this by their own accord but the tactical decision to change things in this game is without-doubt one of the reasons the score line increased in the second half, regardless of the individuals who changed positions and came onto the pitch, the dimensions certainly changed as a result of this and credit must be given to Mark Hawkes for making them.
Nailsea welcome Keynsham seconds next week at home which also marks the halfway stage of the season, look out next week for my "midway season special report" where I hope to include a coach and captain's view of the first half of the season (they'll be very similar I am sure!) and also were you will be given an exclusive look at the statistics so far this season......are you excited???......thought so!!
Final Score 40 - 6
Team (see pre-amble)
Tries: Perfect, Palmer, Blackwell, Goodall
Conv: Paul Stephens (4)
Pens: Paul Stephens (4 from 5) BP, 2
DG:
Captain super dooper pooper scooper trooper wishes he has bupa Hoopers Quote
"shoe him", "everyone likes a drink, no-one likes a drunk", "i'll punch you in the baby maker", "how did this slayed dragon get in my bedroom" and "reach inside your pants and check if you gotta set". "oh about the rugby game??!!. "Patience was the call of the day, you don't need to play rugby at 100mph and when we calmed down we proved what this team can do when we play in a relaxed, yet controlled manner"
Mark Murmurs
The richter scale was relatively quiet this week and I believe this was because before the game Mark was intoxicated by fumes from the youths in the adjacent park!!!, however, there were a few minor murmurs this week but once again was won by yours truly with a measurement of 4.6 when after being specifically instructed not to throw away 50/50 passes I duly did exactly that on the very first pass of the day?? thank god for the pre match stoners or the ground may have shook!!!!
Also, speaking of Stoners, congratulations to Matt Stone and Nicky on the birth of their baby daughter. we're all looking forward to meeting the new edition and hope both mum and baby are well.