Great effort by the players reaps rewards

‘Tackle, tackle, tackle.’ That’s what we asked the boys to do in this game against a very good Hitchin side. And the boys responded (possibly because there was a financial incentive on offer!), showing the bravery and commitment needed to compete on a rugby field.
We started well, and looked the better team for the first three minutes of the opening game, but when Hitchin scored with a breakaway try, the Fullerian heads went down and the boys started to lose belief on themselves. We did ourselves no favours at times by making bad decisions with kicks and penalty plays, and the play-makers (Owen, JP and Oliver) need to be more tactically astute when their team is under pressure (particularly in their own 22). Harry Scully, Simeon, Owen and Thomas all tackled their hearts out throughout the game, and can be proud of the efforts they made.
We lost the first game 3-1.
The between-games coaches’ talk concentrated on those first three minutes, and we asked for the boys to go out and give us an entire game full of that intensity and desire. The boys responded by playing the best rugby of the season so far. Despite struggling up front against a big Hitchin pack – we constantly won the hook and then got driven back off the ball – the boys showed real desire to get up in their opponents’ faces. Oliver Forrest managed his backs much better in this game, and played as a good fly-half should. Owen was great in attack and defence, and made his opposite number’s morning a torrid and difficult one.
Zac and Colm looked very good in attack, linking well with each other. Colm scored some very good tries once we moved him to the inside centre position, and his speed and strength meant he was very difficult to bring down. His last minute try to win the game was a great solo effort.
We won the second game 3-4.
Tackling
Special mention must again go to the boys who were willing to defend and tackle in the way we asked them to.
James, Sam, Zac, Harrison, Colm and JP put themselves about the park well, making good tackles at crucial points of the match. Thomas, Oliver, Owen, Simeon and Harry M were all strong contenders for the title, but when the final whistle blew, there was only one player who could be singled out as Tackler of the Week: Harry Scully. Bashed, battered and bruised, he never stopped hitting the opposition players with tackle after tackle, and his defensive efforts were a big factor in his team getting the victory.
A good morning for the boys, topped off with a much needed win. We need to take this attitude and ethos through to Tring to set us up for the end of season county festival.