08/01/2010
MATCH REPORT – ADHRC V DUBAI HURRICANES (U12)
The 1st match of the 2nd half of the season saw the ADHRC U12s play Dubai Hurricanes at home and for the 1st occasion on a full size pitch, 15 a side with a squad of 22. The previous Thursday night’s training session was intense as revision of all drills were essential due to the Xmas break. The game kicked-off shortly after 1100hrs and consisted of 2 X 20 minute halves.
Both Jerry & I suspected that this game would be no pushover and that the squad would have to be at their best to overhaul the Hurricanes. Clearly, our forwards were 2nd best in the weight department as they were up against fairly hefty opposition. This had huge impact in favour of the Hurricanes from a scrummaging perspective. Our forwards were comprehensively driven off the ball on a number of occasions, although they recovered somewhat in the second half, I have no-doubt as a result of our extra fitness training. This will be addressed prior to the next game as a result of the arrival of the junior scrummage machine at the driving range. In all other areas, Line-out, in the loose and at the breakdown (Mauls & Rucks) we gave as good as we got, to the extent that the forwards were dominant enough to provide a stable platform for the backs to attack from. It was also particularly pleasing to see that when the opportunity arose, the back-row had the confidence to execute pre-planned moves practiced in training.
The half-backs provided a secure and stable link to the remaining backs, and when in attack, all the backs displayed good basic handling skills. This in turn created pressure and allowed us to display, in most cases, the ability to break through the opposition’s defensive lines. Defensively, the system adopted by the backs of front 3 (S/Off, I/Centre & O/Centre) and back 3 (L/Wing, R/Wing & F/Back worked well. Even when the opposition spotted we were up flat applying pressure, and they cleared over the top, the recovery was cool, calm and very quickly cleared or counter attacked. As always, the backs tackled well in defence and were creative in attack. All of the above for both forwards and backs is due to players, listening, learning and working hard in training. We are getting to the point where we are successfully executing in a game environment what we are practicing in training.
The game was won by 28 points to Nil, this was a league game and therefore the fourth try gave us the bonus point. The game was not secure until late in the second half, this restricted the ability to secure the preferred playing time for substitutes. In summary, a good result. In some areas it was not pretty but we ground it out.
It is also pleasing to note that a number of comments were made on the touch line by parents, coaches, from other age groups and the opposition that you were playing good rugby, and deservedly so, well done.
Scorers:
Tries: Jacob Van der Spuy, Christian Cavalcanti, Fraser March & Oakeley Mellish.
Conv: Oakeley Mellish X 4.
Finally:
My thanks to Jerry Mason for refereeing; what was a hard, free flowing game of rugby, in the right spirit. In addition, my thanks to all the supporting parents and the players for their efforts.
Steve Henderson/Jerry Mason
ADHRC U12 Rugby Coaches.
©2009 Abu Dhabi Harlequins All Rights Reserved.