3rd VII Rugby

 

RESULTS 2009 - 2010

DATE OPPOSITION VENUE RESULT
16.09.09      Winchester House     Home                              Lost 5 - 80   
30.09.09 Trent College Away Lost 35 - 10
10.10.09 Maidwell Hall Away Lost 59 - 15
14.10.09 Oakham Home Won 30 - 10
18.11.09 Great Houghton Away Lost 31 - 0
21.11.09 Wellingborough Away Lost 41 - 5
25.11.09 Bilton Grange Away Won 10 - 19
02.12.09 St. Faith's Away  
       

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Match Reports

v Beachborough (09.09.09) Home ‘Coaching Game’
 
The season began with a very useful coaching game which allowed both coaches to try tactics in various situations. Overall Spratton found it difficult to challenge the Beachborough team in the rucks, however when they replaced their 2nd team with their 3rd team we began to dominate. I was particularly impressed with the attacking set pieces and the fearless running towards the try line. The aim is to work on this attitude and display it during future rucks and scrums. JWW
 
V Winchester House VII (16.09.09) Lost 5 - 80
 
A tough first game against a large well drilled Winchester House team. In the first half Spratton were slightly reluctant to get stuck in and stop the opposition building a healthy lead. However, over an orange, the boys decided to pull together and get something out of the game. In the second half, under good leadership, they began working for each other. They provided the spectators with some great tackles, runs and exciting rucks. Every player did their job well and towards the end of the half Spratton scored a superb team try. The team needs to practice hard over the coming weeks to develop into a well drilled side like Winchester House to have a successful season. This can be done if the team work and support displayed in the second half is present every time they are on a rugby field. JWW
 
V Trent College VII (30.09.09) Lost 35 - 10
 
Another difficult challenge against a Trent squad of nineteen boys. The first five minutes saw some great recycling by Spratton, but unfortunately this never resulted in any points. As the boys began to tire, the fresh Trent legs began to take control with two run away tries. However, after a chat about the tackling work practised over the past two weeks, the boys showed immense determination to clear the ball from their own line then score a well worked team try. Then after some quick thinking at a penalty, Spratton scored a run away try of their own. Eventually, Trent’s team rotation tactic got the better of the Spratton seven and they began to break through our defence regularly. Nevertheless, the team defiantly did themselves proud and showed great improvement from the Winchester House game, particularly in tackling and quick rucking, which had been the focus for the last two weeks. Also the teamwork and support the boys displayed was very commendable. One key area which needs developing in time for the grudge match versus Maidwell Hall is tackling on the angle to stop some of these breaks through our back line. Well done and let's keep progressing! JWW

V Maidwell Hall VII (10.10.09) Lost 15 – 58 

This year’s local derby against Maidwell was a similar story to all the matches played so far this season, Spratton’s seven were against a sixteen man squad. This overwhelmed them to begin with and Maidwell scored a few runaway tries. However, Spratton kept trying to play smooth flowing rugby and were rewarded with a great team try. At half time we spoke about the space on the pitch and how best to use it. This resulted in some brilliant kicking and another try in which every player contributed something. The heat was taking its toll on Spratton and the fresh legs of Maidwell meant they never slowed down, and they began to run away with the game. Spratton still worked hard in rucks and used the ball well in the backs but just lacked the spark to score another try, until the dying seconds of the game. This match really showed the character of the team and how willing they are to work together. Also, I was very impressed with the quick passing out in contact situations. We need to be on top of our game against Oakham on Wednesday, and if we play like this I will be very happy! JWW
 
V Oakham VIII (14.10.09) Won 30 – 10
 
Oakham arrived with a nine man squad to play Spratton’s eight. The boys saw this as an opportunity to test themselves in a fair competition. The first half saw both teams play some great flowing rugby, with Spratton being particularly forceful in rucks and scrums. At half time Spratton were winning, however they did not let this go to their heads. It was decided that in the second half we would focus on moving the ball down the backs into the space on the other side of the pitch and this worked well. We kept working together and scored a few more tries then by the full time whistle we had secured the first win of the season. It was clear that tactically we had the better positional sense, however, in most other aspects of the game both teams were equal. It was good to see our determination to prove that against a similar squad size we are a force to be reckoned with. I now want us to remember how hard we have worked and not lose our knowledge and determination over half term so we are ready to take on Oundle on 11th November. Come on! JWW
 
V Great Houghton VIII (18.11.09)  Lost 0 - 31 
Spratton turned up to play Great Houghton’s 2nd VIII expecting a tough game - it was as expected. The opposition had a few big players who made their presence felt in ruck and maul situations. At half time we discussed ways to get round this problem, so tried to avoid contact by passing. This was more effective and resulted in some great opportunities, one of which was held up off the line. So, areas in attack need work, but defensively the team fought hard and should be proud of the effort they put into keeping the score down. Let’s keep improving! JWW
 
V Wellingborough VIII (21.11.09)  Lost 5 - 41
 
An injury hit Spratton arrived in plenty of time to get warmed up to play against a team we could challenge for a result. However, it did not turn out that way. Wellingborough had two superb runners in their team and a very useful forward. Spratton struggled to cope with them because after they scored their first try we had to keep kicking the ball back to them. After half time Spratton started to play with more confidence and showed the crowd how much their understanding of the game has improved. The first and second phases of play were great to watch. However, tiredness kicked in which allowed the opposition to run and score a try. The only time we attacked and reached a third and fourth phase of play we scored a try. This has been noted and will be worked on in preparation for the Bilton Grange match on Wednesday! JWW
 
V Bilton Grange (25.11.09) Won 10 – 19
 
Another depleted Spratton team went away to play Bilton Grange, however we were still optimistic. This was soon crushed after the boys let a player catch the ball from the kick off and then run through our entire team to score a try. Soon after we conceded again, but did manage to score an 'individual' try just before half time. The boys then decided to actually perform the way they had during Monday’s training session and came out a new team. Lovely flowing rugby allowed us to cruise to victory scoring two converted tries. Let this be a lesson to the team, against St Faith’s, you must turn up and be ready to play at the start of the first half. JWW