Season defining OR just another Sunday?

What a game!
What a result!
We relish playing Bracknell as they have a very well disciplined side who play full on rugby with great support and vocal Coaching.

Newbury 14 5 Bracknell

Tries Fin, Joe.
Conv. Elliot K 2

Man of the Match Joe. For excellent flanker play and a stolen try
through quick thinking.

We knew we were in for a hard game as we played our arch local rivals, but perhaps we didn't expect such an amazing full on defensive display...from both sides.
There was not much in it for most of the match with Bracknell pushing hard for 90% of the first half and eventually making the most finally of a missed tackle by Newbury 5 metres from the line.

The second half was much the same on the same line but with Newbury pushing hard.
Both sides were very quick to react to any attack, but although Bracknell beat us to most breakdowns they couldn't capitalise on this swift action.
When Newbury got to the breakdown the tacking was awesome and almost made up for this tardiness. We must work on speed to the breakdown as it very nearly cost us dear.

Our scrum has been finding opposition getting stronger this season and Bracknell had us beat 7 out of 10 scrums, but some how didn't make the most of it.
We discussed the Harlequins mantra "Try the unexpected" and moved a few players around a little to put the opposition off the scent and it seemed to work a little.
This was guerrilla tactics and very necessary against a side that knew our main threats well. One we will use only very occasionally as we wish all the players to flourish and play to their full abilities.
Certainly not a pattern of things to come.

Harry - Found things tough going against a mighty front row, but never gave up and gave 100% as usual. We need to see more speed to the breakdown as this nearly cost us dear. Some great powerful runs in open play and as the Chairman was heard to say "Superb body position", so well done.

Callum - As with Harry, gave his all but was pushed off our ball at the scrum and was fortunate to win just 3 out of 10 put ins. He was a match for his opposite number in the loose scrum and tackled excellently in defence.

Kieron - Another tough day as front row, but as with his mighty team mates tackled out of his skin in defence and never let his head go down even with sustained attack from Bracknell.

Oliver D - Great in the loose and tackled well, but lacked a little poundage in the set scrums. Worked well with Bert at lock.

Bert - Welcome back to your current best position of lock. Height and strength were a relish to see against the opposition. Tackling is much better now.
Need to be support for any breakaway as hard to stop you once on the rampage.

Josh H - Used his strength to great effect and tackled well when we were pinned in our own 22m for so long. Unstinting in his efforts.
Getting better and better each match.

Xav - Tackled as if his life depended on it, as usual. The destroyer in the back row. Need to see if you can get to the opposition 9 and 10 to stop any moves before they start.

Joe - Scored his first try for Newbury and what a great breakaway back row try it was! Spotted a gap in Bracknell's wall of defence and ran strongly in to score. A tremendous start so let's see some variation on your play as you do have a tendency to hold onto the ball just a little too long.

Fin - Very strong game at No. 8 and worked well with Fergus at No.9.
Was used occasionally to "Try the unexpected" with some success, out of the scrum. But got caught in possession too many times. However, others need to be on his shoulder to give Fin more options before he is felled. Pass earlier and create more backs moves, if possible.

Fergus - As above with Finn. Has quick rugby mind and uses it to great effect. Could possibly have used the boot more effectively to clear the defensive lines and help his team mates. One to work on, but perhaps not when the wind is so viscous.

Max - New to Newbury and had a convincing game at No. 10 working well with Fergus. Perhaps not used too much as the game was very scrum orientated. Great potential as is a live wire.

Elliot - Kicked 2 fine conversions, one from near the touch line in a fierce wind. A tremendous footballing brain that was a little stifled by lack of ball, but showed glimpses of his skills with Toby on occasion.

Toby - Apart from one great kick and chase had an unusually quiet
game.
It is hard to shine without the ball. Tackled well bar one occasion that became an expensive miss and went off with a bash to the head. Huge skill when allowed to express himself.

Marcus - Nearly the complete player as has added tacking to his array of skills. Apparently is noisy on the school pitch, so would like to see that at Newbury!

Rory - As with Marcus, our "silent wingers". Shout for the ball and let your team mates know you are there and you maybe surprised how often you get involved! Great tackler now.

Ali - Called upon very early with an awkward ball being chased down by a few marauding Bracknell giants, but with a cool head controlled it well. Usually we see more of you coming into the backs but Sunday was a tough time to do that being so scrum orientated. Mr Reliable at No. 15.

Mikey - The best game I have seen you play, well done! You replaced Fergus at No. 9 and played to the same high standard. Digging the ball out of the back of the scrum even with it backing onto you. Excellent.

Henry - Came onto great effect at No.10 replacing Max and passed he ball well from both hands. A very decent half.

Nathan - Mr Versatile came on at wing and tackled with his usual aplomb.

Sam - Determined tackler who just gets on with his game, quiet but effective.

Nat - Effective substitute.

Fraser - Not used this time as we need as much bulk as possible.

To reiterate all players who did not play will play in the next match as usual.

So there you have it a tremendous win against a powerful side unbeaten to date (Bar the extraordinary Irish) who gallantly took it on the chin.

It is fair to say the ball did not flow down the backs as much as we like to see and as is so effective, but Bracknell kept the ball in with their powerful scrum and we chose not to use all that latent skill out wide. We were better in the backs and perhaps made the game a little harder than need be.
Too harsh perhaps?
I don't think so. We need to keep all games in perspective and learn from each win, loss or draw.
Let's get that 5% better each time, this time is varying play more and switching the ball from scrum to backs.

That said...What a win! Well done to all the squad.

See you Sunday for some fun for our final get together before Christmas.

David