First league game, first league win

At times it wasn't pretty, at times it was pretty brutal but a League win is a League win!

John and his team at Redingensians run a tight ship and the boys work hard and fair. We always enjoy a game against our local rivals, even with John's pink shorts on show!!

Newbury 22 Redingensians 14

Tries
Harry, Elliot K, Toby, Fin

Conv Marcus

Man of the match Toby for fine running and great tackling.

The weather has changed but for a while our game was forming a familiar pattern.
This changed in the 2nd half and we allowed ourselves to express ourselves more.
We did grind a result out and finally beat down some stubborn opposition with some mighty fellas in their scrum.

Our back play flowed beautifully but the pack are starting to find themselves in slightly unfamiliar territory.
That of losing own ball in both the line out and the scrums.
Back to basics is required. We must not lose sight of the basics of rugby whilst trying to develop our style.

Harry - Mr Reliable. Scored a strong and powerful try and gave a 100% as always. Gets very emotionally involved in his rugby.
If all gave as much heart as Harry does we could not ask for more. Pods aside, you make such a huge difference in the rucks we could do with you getting stuck into more.
Top Fella!

Callum - Never gave up and did not run out of steam this week, which is a welcome sight. Very strong in close play. Did lose a couple of our own balls in the scrum though. One to work on.

Kieron - Very eager to get to the breakdown and occasionally off balance therefore at a ruck or two. The keen ref did punish us a good few times, so do learn to play the ref and their style. But enthusiasm should not be criticised but perhaps channelled a little more. Fitness is getting better each week.

Oliver D - Very full on as ever. A little less conspicuous this week after last weeks break through. but another strong game. Will have to push a little harder in set scrums I am afraid!

Michael - Another strong game. But as with Oliver D will have to see if we can get lower and push harder in the set scrums as we are coming up against some mighty opposition now. Very reliable player this season.

Fraser - Great line out ball, you have really got to grips with that now, well done. Need to get the tackling sorted as it is becoming an issue on too many occasions now. One for us to concentrate on.

Xav - Tackled some huge chaps from he scrum and when they were running at top speed with no fear as ever. Sadly got a mighty bash to the cheek which took him off. And we missed our pocket Exocet!

Joe - Some fine strong running and very straight, which is great.
Would like to see some more variation in play now you are getting more use to your new colleagues. Also would like to see you and Fin linking up together.

Fin - A rallying cry from a superb Captain, particularly when a number of close tackles were missed allowing Ensians to score. Getting tackled a little more often this year so will have to develop another string to your excellent bow. Careful on the wild passing...although we did score from it this time! We may not always...! Excellent.

Nathan - One excellent tackler replacing another. Played a great close game in as flanker, and used your strength well. Would like to see you alternate your style a little more. Be more adventurous, but do tell other what you intend to do!

Fergus - Has made No.9 his own. Very quick hands, feet and brain have made you a rather decent No. 9. Well done. Let's see more variation in your play. As you work with Fin at School, Club and County you will naturally work well together....but spread the ideas to others.

Ben - Working well at 10 and work well with Fergus as well as Elliot K and Toby, with Ali occasionally popping up. Between you and Fergus we need to see more variation and wily skills as you have them. You two should decide the style of play and moves. We saw glimpses, let's see some more magic. Well done though a good game.

Elliot K - A great individual try, some strong running and ever reliable tackling. Excellent, well done. Let's hear you talking more.
Harsh, but we know there is a lot more to come!

Toby - Another consistently committed game, where you gave your all and got bashed because of it. Some great play between you, Elliot and Ali. This is beginning to develop nicely. Well done.

Rory - Short spell on today, but getting better each game.

Marcus - Kicked well both from hand and a tricky conversion. Tackling better. Let's hear that voice more to create some more magic.

Mikey - Likewise a short spell, but tries very hard and has a good rugby brain.

Henry - When warm and concentrating works well. Would like to see more consistency in your game and hear your voice more.

Ali - A reliable full back that sensibly moves into the line at appropriate times. Tackled well.

Isaac - Came on for a short blast to good effect..

Josh - Not used today, but thanks for the support.

Nat & Ben A - Both came and supported even when injured. Thank you,
much appreciated.

So not our best display, but we were against decent opposition, wintery weather and a zealous ref.
We played well to the ref's style once we understood it and that is commendable as a Captain's role, Fin leading by example and the rest of the teams tremendous discipline.
We will have to go up a gear to beat Bracknell. But let's do the basics well and we will be pretty unstoppable.

Lawrence's Three:

1. Tackling,
2. Passing and
3. Support.

Well done, a win is a win after all!!

David