Wallingford

"We had a great morning. For me, the score was irrelevant, everything about the morning was what rugby should be about..."

Quote Rob Hayes, Head Coach Wallingford.

That says it all really!
A tremendous day's rugby without 11 County players and 1 marching at Pangbourne and how we worked hard for 40 minutes of full on rugby.
Wallingford very sportingly lent us 3 or 4 players of quality who also played their hearts out when a few injuries diminished our minimal numbers.

Newbury 0 22 Wallingford

At the beginning of my coaching with Newbury when everyone was pretending to be aeroplanes, that result would have stuck in my throat.
But for a chap who played when everything was in black and white and winning was everything, I agree with Rob.

To a man, you were excellent, well done!
Everyone tried their hardest and most of you had your PB's, some from the bottom drawer...

Our defence in the 2nd half kept a very strong Wallingford side at bay for nearly 10 minutes just 5 meters form our try line, you were awesome, you really were.
The loose play and "never give up" attitude displayed by you all would have been a match for even the mighty All Blacks who finally lost their own unbeaten record this week end*.

The scrum provided a strong platform for our make shift backs to usually provide some decent runs. Although spluttering a little at 9 and 10 with yet another pairing, when the ball did move out we saw some great running, particularly from Rory - who had another fine day's rugby and Bert, in his now more familiar backs position.
Loose play was absolutely top draw stuff with good link ups with Sam - who battered his way through a strong Wallingford scrum and Harry, who seems to get better and better each game.
Oliver and Michael, aching from a full on game on Saturday played extremely well in the loose with the 2 Josh's in good support.

Interestingly after the game the boys continued to be in good spirits as they knew they had tried their hardest and done their best.
This is something we use as a mantra really, as no one can ask for more and you delivered for the 2nd Sunday in a row.
This excellent attitude linked with making sure we learn from each match, both the good and the bad moments bodes well for the season and the future.
Review in your own minds what worked as team and as your individual play and what didn't and be honest and open about it. Then we will get that little bit better each week.

Sam - your "Human Battering Ram" approach is wonderful and often gave us 5 or 10 metres ground. Excellent strength and running. Do try and vary a little your play and link up with some of the other larger scrum players. Imagine how effective you, Harry and Josh would be running together as a 3 ! Well done though, a tremendous debut game.

Fraser - you were the "PB from the bottom drawer" I was referring to.
Another great and consistent game with fine line out ball and strong loose play and tackling.
You seem to be enjoying your play more this season and it shows. Keep the kicking for the back garden though! Well done, keep it up.

Josh - with a stubbed toe but tremendous attitude you put in your usual 100% effort and had a full on game, well done. We must remember this I only your second full season of rugby at all, let alone at Newbury and as with a number of players today you are just getting better and better. Let's hear your voice more though and then an effective team work approach will make you even better.

Harry - another leading by example role played by "Blunderbuss Major"
today after last weeks superb day. You led the scrum extremely well and never gave up, smashing your way through a big, strong and skilful scrum on a number of occasions. You rally the troops in times of need as you care passionately about your team, which is wonderful. Well done. I would like to see you use this power and size in the line out catching clean ball on our throw. Then forcing your way through quickly on their ball. We are not winning enough line out ball without Fin and Bert and it is now your duty to rectify that. Do you accept this challenge?

Oliver D - your loose play and defensive tackling was the best we have seen of you. Well done. You are often an unsung hero just cracking on with the play and not grabbing the headlines, but today you rose, Pheonix like to come again and with your mate Michael put in 110%. An excellent day.

Michael - as with Oliver D, we saw a superb effort of non compromise rugby and a "never say never" attitude with you today. One of your best games both at 2nd row and flanker. tremendous.

Josh - at no. 8 you gave a 100% in a position that is occupied by your usual Captain, so competition will be tough ! You have grown a lot over the summer and used your new found size and strength to great effect today. Keep it up and talk a little more, please.

Oliver B - a quieter day than last week with a bash to your side and ankle that curtailed your day, but a very decent 20 minutes, well done.

Nathan - you were left exposed on your own a couple of times at full back but held up play well waiting for your team mates when a fallen on bouncing ball would have gifted Wallingford a score. You used your good sports brain well and did not panic in a trying moment.
Looked more comfortable at flanker although would like to see the Nathan of old with those Excocet tackles in the loose. Also let's hear that voice of yours!

Charlie C - played in a couple of positions today as our ultimate utility player. But has the hair cut done a Samson and Delilah and lost all your strength ! ?
I had to remind you of your greatest skill, that of being an awesome tackler and once you heard that we saw the usually highly effective Charlie. A slow start but got much better.

Ben - after a huge part of last season unfit through a nasty injury and now 100% fit you sadly gained a nasty bash to the arm, typical, eh!
Just when you were trying to sort out the scrums winning balls to go down the backs. But before that a gallant effort with a very fast breaking pair of flankers from Wallingford bearing down at you.

Will - a gallant effort when faced with a strong scrum and little protection from your flankers. You were not scared to dig the ball out and sent a number of decent balls to no.10. A little inconsistent though and I would have liked to have seen more communications and therefore understanding in the half back position. You did get a head bash, but we are pleased you are on the mend.

Mikey - didn't always work for you today, which is a shame as you have a great sport man's brain. You needed to have more conversation with your partner at no.9 and get near to him as he was expected to give you huge passes. Never mind though, you kept trying and although could do with talking more, made a valiant effort.

Isaac - you are always honest with me about your effort and your achievement which I welcome. Today by your own admittance you were not at your best. Last week you were, so we know it is there some where.
You were asked to move up and down the backs as injuries and numbers required, which you did willingly and with good grace, thank you.
Believe in yourself a little more and let's see some of that Isaac magic and stretch those legs of yours. You did it last week to great effect.

Bert - a quieter game today, but when you got the ball you used it well and made fine ground. Please use 2 hands on the ball when you run a little more particularly when not using your effective long hand off though! You tackled well when it looked like we would lose another score and are a reliable runner. We need you to shout more instructions particularly when we had a number of Baa Baa's at backs as we lost a couple of tries through lack of drifting in the back line. A difficult call, with total strangers I grant you, especially as Wallingford did choose you as their Man of the Match ! Well done.

Rory - you get better each match, well done! Your defensive tackling 1 after another was a really tremendous effort. This shone through particularly when Wallingford had us pinned down on the 5 meter line for 10 minutes of the 2nd half. You typified my summary of the team, that of never giving up and working to a 100%. Even better than last week and so let's see another tremendous game next time. You seem to be learning each week, just that 5 or 10% fine tune and it is working well. Keep it up.

So although beaten by a strong Oxfordshire side, we had a great day's rugby with mostly mighty efforts and mighty results, a further well done to all.

We recognise there is a lot of rugby happening this term and a few injuries and aching limbs are happening of late, so we will NOT be having any training this Wednesday to rest.

Look forward to seeing you all refreshed on Sunday.

David

*Pro rata on size of course. Will Denton would not equal Richie McCaw..!