Gentlemen,
Well a good hard fought tournament this weekend. But we just came up short in
the final.
The first game against Columbia we put ourselves under severe pressure early on
by messing up 2 tries for us and giving up 2 long range tries to Columbia through
some shoddy tackling. When we get opportunities we really have to take them. Instead
of being up 14-0 we were suddenly down 3-14. However we were playing well and
we came back with 2 excellnt tries to Forrest and Stick and another 2 penalties
to make it 19-14. But some stupid mistakes in front of the posts gave Columbia
two gimme penalties for them to regain the lead to 20-19. But we came back strong
and Columbia conceded a penalty about 35 yards out with no time left. Up steps
Mulli to slot the game winner. Greenville takes it 22-20. This is a game where
we really put ourselves under pressure more than we neede to. We let Columbia
stay with us through mistakes, stupid penalties and sometimes just not thinking
correctly. But we played till the end and pulled out an excellent victory.
The 2nd game against Charleston was a chnace for many of us to seek some redemption
from our earlier loss to Charleston only 2 weeks ago. This was a hard game from
whistle to whistle and unfortunately the bounce of the ball didn't go our way
in this one. Charleston seemed to have a good knack of being able to just escape
our grasp when we had them under pressure in their half. At half time it was 5-3
to Charleston. The 2nd half was quite a bruiser. Unfortunately we just couldn't
seem to get the ball out of our half. We would defend brilliantly get down in
their half and then they would manage to get it back down in our half again and
it would start all over again. Their 2nd try was them just pouncing on a mistake
by us close to the line. It was just not meant to be our day in this game. So
the final score was 13-3 to Charleston.
As a team Saturday we have a lot to be pleased about. We played hard rugby in
both games. We played as a team in both games and we did not get down on each
other when things weren't going our way. It was a great effort by everybody and
eveyone can definitely hold their heads up. There are some definite lessons we
can take from Saturday's games:
The importance of playing with Heart. We showed a lot of heart in both games
and it really makes a difference. The game is never over until the final whistle.
It is essential that we play with discipline the entire game. This means we
don't lose our head when we are provoked. We don't give away stupid penalties
where we know better. We played with great discipline in both games Saturday
especially against Columbia where there ws some targeted provoking going on.
Good Job.
The importance of winning our setpieces. These are the platform that we spring
our attacks from. Lineouts again were a problem. We have to win our throw in
every time. These need to be focused on intensively for the spring season.
You have to take your chances when they come. It is essential that when we
have a scoring chance we take it. We need to be ruthless in the redzone. Everyone
needs to pick up the tempo in those areas.
Communication is key in every facet of play. Get used to communicating with
the guys either side of you. Remember there is a big difference between communicating
and talking. Communicating is about the play at hand whether it be on attack
or on defence.
Good effort Saturday by everyone. We will not betraining Tuesday this week but
we will be running touch on Thursday night. Remember the GROG game is going to
be in 2 weeks. We are going to continue running touch over the break on Thursday
nights at 7:00pm at Sterling. It's a good opportunity to keep the ball skills
going over the break. I will be doing a season recap later this week.
Well played this weekend gentlemen. See you Thursday night.
Dan Roberts
Coach Greenville RFC