Gentlemen,

An excellent win this past weekend. After what has been a frustrating season we finally showed what we can do when we play for a full game. The final score could very easily have been 60-70 points to 9.

The first quarter of the game was very educational. We were our own worst enemy by continuously giving away offside penalties. Remember that the off side line goes right across the field in line with the hindmost foot of the last player in the ruck, maul or scrum. That is something to consider when we are playing Touch as well. Finally we corrected ourselves and started playing strong. We played a very physical game in the pack and we managed to start securing quick ruck ball which set a great platform for our backs to spring forward from. We also were strong in our set piece play. We had our best day in the lineouts of the year and our scrum was solid as a rock. With this platform our backs got a chance to really get things going and produce some excellent running rugby, when we were held up we had support there to recycle the ball quickly which then opened up the gaps outside for us to get the overload and score some excellent tries. What was crucial in this game was that we kept possession for multiple phases. At times it was up to 5-6 phases. That is the kind of rugby we all know we can play and is the kind of rugby that we need to play. We just went from strength to strength as the game progressed. We never let off for the entire game. Our defense was excellent Saturday. Countless times we stole ball in the tackle by just smothering them and swiping the ball. One area that does need work is that we still turned the ball over in the tackle too much when we had gained some excellent ground but then just messed it up at the end by either getting penalized for holding onto the ball too long on the ground or losing it when we hit the ground. It's essential that when we go to ground we control the setting off the ball. We can't afford to have it bouncing around from a sloppy set. It's also important that we don't get isolated when we have the ball. A couple of times we made some good yards but we got isolated and went to ground before support had arrived. Once you hit the ground in a tackle you have to release the ball. If you get isolated, hold your feet until support arrives and fight to keep them off the ball so when you need to go to ground you can. But overall guys a great game. The forwards rucked excellently, and the backs ran excellently. Try scorers in the A-game were Vince Atkinson (2), Chris Seman (2), Matt Myers, Mike Miller and Tony Coggiola. Seman was 5 of 7 on conversions. Excellent win guys and just what we needed to show us all what we can do and also what we should be doing every week.

The B-side game was another excellent Greenville win with a final score of 42-0. Great job guys. That was another case of the forwards creating an excellent platform with solid play up front and our backs exploiting the gaps out wide to score some excellent tries. An excellent win guys.

Overall it was a very successful weekend for Greenville Rugby. I was frustrated with the losses we have taken this year as I know everyone else has been. Saturday totally showed that those losses were aberrations. Saturday's game should be taken as the minimum standard that we accept form ourselves. We played like we have wanted to and also how we have practiced to. Both games were excellent to watch and it would have even been better to be out there on the field.