Match Report Al Ain V ADHRC 09:30 Fri 11 Dec 09
A squad of 18 ADHRC “Warriors”, supported by 2 aging coaches and a number of family members made the early morning journey to Al Ain Rugby club to play what is always viewed as a crucial league game. All arrived in fine fettle, and both Jerry & I had a feeling this could be our weekend; those thoughts very swiftly became reality.
The Al Ain coach enquired whether we wanted to play on a full sized pitch having previously agreed to half size, we took the gamble and this paid off handsomely. Although the mercy rule is in place at 50, final score of 0 – 73 will immediately tell you how we dominated the game from start to finish.
All had trained well the previous evening, the forwards looked powerful and well organised and the backs looked sharp. This was transferred to the pitch on the day. Apart from a minor hiccup on receiving the kick-off, the forwards, ably led by Thomas Mason, who had recently returned from a concussion injury 3 weeks ago, gave their best display of good basic dominant rugby, this season, so far.. Harry Seward led and supported well during a number of well communicated and coordinated pick & go, moves from the back of scrums, line-outs, mauls & rucks, this set the platform for the backs to attack with venom.
The backs, very well controlled by Fraser March (Capt & Man of the Match) were slick and sharp. Setting the foundation by conducting the basics well (catch & pass), they were able to, at will, penetrate the Al Ain defence or take them out wide using the speed of both wingers. Good rugby requires a link man (Scrum-Half) Billy Conchie who stepped up to the plate by being decisive, acting as an attacker in addition to becoming the 6th forward when required. Half time saw us make a number of replacements to ensure the whole squad played, Forwards - Ben replaced Ollie, Euan replaced Ezra, and late in the second half, Tijn replaced Thomas, Backs – Molly retired injured in the first half, replaced by Rhys, Brigham replaced by Christian, Oakley replaced by Gabriel.
Parents should be aware that a couple of training sessions ago, Jerry & I took the players in to the Club House and had a chat, in essence an element of education and to instil in them the will to win by being better than their opposite number. Clearly, this was applied in Al Ain this weekend. It was also clearly evident that the Tuesday night fitness sessions are beginning to pay off, our fitness in the second half was particularly noticeable. This will come more to the fore when we move to 15 a side on a full size pitch in the New Year.
Players, you should be rightly proud of an excellent display of rugby, probably the best rugby of the day, Scorers (Tries): Harry 2, Fraser 3, Oakley 1, Ezra 1, Chris 3, and Jacob 1, of which 9 were successfully converted.
PARISH NOTICES:
Christopher Blackburn and family are returning to UK in late Dec 09, they have all contributed greatly to ADHRC since 2002, Chris playing and the family always in attendance supporting him and the rest of the team. We thank you for that and wish you well with your new life in Scotland. We look forward to your intermittent return and perhaps a cameo appearance could be arranged.
Thank you all.
Steve Henderson & Jerry Mason
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