Sidmouth U8’s v Topsham U8's

11^th March 2012 and It was a mild, cloudy day in Topsham.

As part of our ongoing desire to produce thinking, aware rugby players - rather than drones who only do as they are told - this week the children were in charge! They decided on their warm up, Captains and starting line-up. Whilst by no means a painless exercise, the awareness and nous the children showed was both admirable and surprising.

Game 1. The away team’s Ref had very relaxed views on, off-side, knock-ons and forward passes. The children enjoyed a close game ending in a 5 all draw, testament to the kid's refusal to be bowed by local circumstances

At the mid match team talk the boys maturity was very evident, as they correctly identified that they had not done enough tagging or passing, and that they could have run straighter rather than across the pitch.

Game 2. With Stephe in charge the rules were adhered to, which suited Sidmouth (as that’s how we train)! Topsham brought out a different team for the second game. Sidmouth’s tagging and passing improved. After another close game the score was once again Topsham 5 Sidmouth 5.

Both games were solid performances by Sidmouth and particularly impressive as the children made their own decisions throughout the morning.

Well done Sidmouth.

Sidmouth U8's v Exeter Chiefs Home

It was a cold day in Sidford. An early frost had lifted and the ground was hard but not frozen.

Sidmouth’s warm up focused on a “concertina” game plan – another name to describe our penchant  for keeping the ball close and narrow during the initial phases of an attack, and then to offload and spread the ball once the defence has been breached or the opposition have bunched sufficiently to create the space on the outside.  An adjunct to this is a far more robust type style of play that encourages comfort in contact.  Our warm ups thus do a lot of work in focussing on attacking the defender’s inside shoulder and playing through the contact.

With a very good turnout on the day, we decided to play as two teams, rather than as a single team with rolling subs.  Thus each team played for one half (ten minutes), then rested for the next half…

Game 1. Sidmouth kept to the game plan in attack and were strong in defence, at half time the score was 3 : 2 to Sidmouth. The second half was just as good and Sidmouth won 6 points to 5 – thus continuing our recent history of very close games with a willing Chiefs team

Game 2. The children continued their good work, with some straight runs through the opposition’s lines, good ball handling in the cold conditions, and great team work in support of each other. At the end of the first half Sidmouth were in the lead with 3 points   to 2. Unfortunately the Chiefs closed the gap and nosed ahead in the second half. Sidmouth 4 : Chiefs 5.

Great work Sidmouth.

Sidmouth U8's v Cullumpton U8's

With many thanks to my wife Jo (and all others braving the miserable conditions), for a fantastic match report....

4 March 2012

Some of us are beginning to think that Cullompton is perpetually, wet, windy and cold! On a small demarcated pitch, 15 U8s (8 from Sid and 7 form Cully), with freezing cold fingers, did themselves proud.

After a quick start from Cullompton and the first try on the board for the home team, our boys sprang into action. After Toby and James made some good ground, Noah scored the first try for Sidmouth. Some good passing on the move saw Toby scoring twice more in answer to each try scored by Cully. The first half ended with each team having three on the board.

Sid kept up the pressure in the second half gaining a quick turnover ball. Ollie ran straight and strong to score the first try of the second half. Some good tagging followed by freezing fingers meant Cully slipped through for their fourth try. Ollie was the king of the quick step though, and scored the fifth try for Sid. Cully followed, again with a quickly scored try. Before the final whistle a great tag from Ollie kept the scores equal, at five apiece, at the end of the first match.

Ollie started the second match in similar, fine form and scored quickly. Sid kept up great pressure and good play from Harry resulted in a turnover ball. After a bit of scrambling on the line, Toby scored the second try. A great, supportive team effort continued, but a tag was just too late and Cully scored their only try of the half.  A breakaway from Noah, after a good push forward from Rudi, and a quick pass to Ollie resulted in try number three. A sneaky giant step from Noah, after being tagged, and a reach over the line, resulted in four tries at half time.

The final half started with a great burst from Cully, resulting in another point on the board and after a scrappy re-start, Sidmouth retained possession and Toby stormed over the line , scoring again. Cully replied immediately, but a quick start from Harry and a clean offload to Noah, scoring Sid’s sixth try. Right on the whistle, Collumpton scored again, finishing with four tries in the second match.

Although cold and windy, the Sidmouth 8 who represented the U8s on Sunday, did everyone proud. Great teamwork and demonstration of good core skills.

Sidmouth U8’s v Withycombe U8's

It was a mild and breezy day at Withycombe RFC in Exmouth.

Today’s focus was on ensuring that we continued in our process and development areas for the first half of the year:
Inattack - support each other, pass early on the run and exploit the space
In defence. - keep alignment, look and listen.

Game 1. The Withy referee’s “Home Rules” took us by surprise, as runaway and “off feet” tries were the order of the day for the Withy players. Although technically legal, runaway tries are disallowed during our training sessions, as we try and emphasise teamwork and use of the ball as opposed to exploitation of any single player’s speed. The game got off to a fast pace and the opposition’s attack was formidable - with lots of direct running by both sides. At the end of the first half the score was Withycombe 3 – Sidmouth 2 (Try scorers, Max Mayor and Toby Richards). The second half was more of the same with our opposition’s runaway and “off feet” tries resulting in a frustrating final score ofWithycombe 6 – Sidmouth 2.

Game 2. The 2^nd game had a tighter focus on the game laws allowed at u8 – providing a more level playing field, and introducing a large element of parity to the teams . Our opponent’s attack was still strong but our defence even better. At the end of the first half the score was 1-1 (Try scorer George Manly). In the second half our defence remained impressive and focussed. In attack we were looking for space and passing on the run. Regrettably tries proved elusive. Final score Withycombe 3, Sidmouth 1.

In all, a very satisfying day for both the coaches and players. If one eliminates the “off feet” (3) and runaway (3) tries scored by Withy today, we actually drew in total scores – not that that matters one iota.

After 4 sessions, the players are starting to recognise and understand our pattern of play – and for the most part are very comfortable implementing it. A huge plaudit needs to go to our “senior” players (those who’ve been around for a couple of years). They have done very well in welcoming the newer, less experienced players and are helping them develop a very strong team culture!

Congratulations all round – a great days’ play!