2000/01 match reports

21st October 2000
English Clubs Championship

NatWest RFC 20
Erith RFC 34

Tries: Anderson (2), Fairchild
Penalty: Barry
Conversion: Barry

A good start saw the bank take a deserved 15-3 lead with tries from Anderson and Fairchild this came about by using simple rugby, good rucking and ball retention leading to overlaps out wide which were used well with Mark Whitear controlling the base of the ruck/mauls. At this stage of the match the game needed to be killed off which we were unable to do partly just to bad luck and secondly by some poor decision making.

Erith came back into the game just before half time with one well worked penalty move and a lucky try from a high kick resulting with them going into half time with a two point lead.

The second half was extremely disappointing as we struggled to come to terms with Erith kicking the ball behind us, in contrast we seemed unable to do this and ended up having to run the ball from suicidal positions in wet conditions. Yet again a lack of consistent numbers a training have to be partly to blame as we need to work in units so we can start playing like a team, working on our tactics and decision making, so see you all Tuesday please.

Dave

21st October 2000
Metropolitan Gamma League

NatWest 2nd XV 10
Orpington 2nd XV 45

Try: Penalty Try
Penalty & Conversion: Steff Burkwood
Team: borrowed sub, Upton, Doug, Tommy O, Pinfield, Simpson, McReynolds, Young, McGregor, Burkwood, Timmins, Wayne, Lawton, Pete (Jerry's mate), O' Sullivan
No shows: Alpe, P Cantell, Geary

Match Report: First things first 3 players failed to show up which meant we left the club late, (not assisted by getting lost en route), and therefore turned up 5 minutes before kick off with a reshuffled team of 14 trying to borrow 1 from the opposition.

Needless to say with this kind of preparation it took us a while to find our feet which was a shame because the opposition looked very shaky from the kick off, although we helped them settle down by allowing an early score.

The scrummages started fairly well, although as the game wore on we allowed ourselves to be shunted back, with Kev McGregor doing well to tidy up a lot of spilled balls from the base of the scrum. We competed well in the line-outs, but could really do with a training session with all those involved.

Our major problems are competing in the loose. It's becoming the norm to fly hack loose balls, rather than fall on them, make random passes through the legs, rather than holding on to the ball and going to deck. It also doesn't help when big second rows try to chip the ball over the opposition, rather than hammering into them (Tommy O - twice !).

Tackling was also poor with a few notable exceptions (keep it up Tim !) and forwards were generally slow to keep to keep up with play and thus a lot of ball was surrendered to the oppo.

We did play well in patches, notably the sustained pressure that led to the penalty try.

For next week let's just try and stick to the basics:

• F**king turn up if carded.
• Keep tackles low and if the player looks like passing tackle him anyway, it's your team mates job to take the next man (we bought loads of dummies on Saturday, but I spat most of them out at half time).
• Get to ground if you take the ball into contact, unless you can make a controlled pass to someone on your shoulder.
• More aggression in the scrums - lets hit them hard
• Hit the rucks low and hard and step over the ball.
• Do not kick hard earned possession away.
• Support your team mates and make an effort to keep up with play.
• General game plan is for forward punch runners to break the gain line and then spread it wide.

It's been a difficult start to the season, but we should have a lot more players available from now on and should have a real chance of beating Charlton Park 5ths on Saturday. Thanks for sticking at it. Priority in selection will continue to be given to those who train...

Cheers.
Youngy

14th October 2000
English Clubs Championship

NatWest RFC 3
Darenth Valley RFC 7

Penalties: Andrews 1

Match report to come...

14th October 2000
Metropolitan Gamma League

NatWest 2nd XV 3
Erith 2nd XV 43

Penalties: Steff Burkwood

A disappointing result but unsurprising with four forwards in the back line!

A big thank you to Steve Twiggers, Peter Young and Richard Simpson for turning out yesterday, rising respectively from the grave, sick bed and the toilet!

A good start with a competitive front five, out scrummaging the opposition but without the pace or nous of a dedicated back division early chances were squandered. Two strong breaks by new player Mark McReynolds, resulted in good interplay between "backs" and forwards with left wing Richard Simpson going over in the corner, unfortunately unlike American football the ball must be grounded, please note for future reference Richard.

17-3 at half-time and two ball taken "against the head" early in the second-half boded well but Erith started to move the ball to the backs and outpacing our covering tacklers. Two strong running breaks from Dan and Doug almost resulted in two tries unfortunately silly penalties resulted in turnovers and lost momentum. The loss of Twiggers mid-way through the second half was a bitter blow and Erith continued to apply pressure lofting the ball to our 22. Sam "On my head" Wilden and Jerry O'Sullivan did their best to cover across but were overwhelmed by the opposition who ran in three late tries.

Man of the match is: Mark McReynolds who will soon push for a first team place.

WEDDERS

7th October 2000
Tetley Bitter Vase 2nd Round

NatWest RFC 23
Egham RUFC 13

Tries: Fairchild, Ribeiro, Anderson
Penalties: Andrews (2)
Conversion: Andrews

Coach's View: Appalling weather on the way to darkest Surrey but conditions were surprisingly good at the ground and the rain stayed away for the game itself.

From the kick-off we collected and drove forward putting the home side under pressure. Winning possession at will we looked pretty impressive for the first 20 minutes but all we had to show for the pressure was 3 shots at goal - 2 successful. In a rare foray into our half the home team kicked a penalty and then almost unbelievably scored and converted a try - putting us behind.

Again putting the ball in front of our forwards we looked dangerous and eventually Lawrence Fairchild crashed over from No8. Minutes later Dylan Williams kicked on after a good break and Niels controlled the ball well before scoring. Half time 10 - 18.

Despite all the half time planning we did not start the second half well and allowed our opponents to get right back into the game - conceding an early penalty goal. For prolonged periods we were pressed back in our own half and were not helped by our inability to find touch or to get the ball back in front of our forwards. This said we defended well and our scrummage and lineout held up under the pressure. Finally we managed to break out and after a crashing break from Dylan Williams Kenny Anderson scampered over in the corner. The rest of the game then petered out with both sides having but unable to take chances. A hard fought game we just about deserved to win.

From first phase we actually looked impressive but lack of unit training does show when we try to put a series of rucks/mauls together.

Andrews - defended well and kicked the goals to keep us ahead. Not one of his best games but expectations are high.

Ribeiro - at last starting to believe in himself. A neat try.

Lowth - a rock solid performance. Tackled everything but did not see a great deal of ball in attack.

Williams - a massive performance. Kept bringing our forwards into the game by breaching the gain line. Looked sharp and was the main difference between the two sides.

Anderson - some neat moments and scored a well-taken try in the second half.

Barry - a good, tidy performance. Not helped by a liberal interpretation of the offside line he kicked well from hand and varied the game well.

Karl - some dodgy moments to start but soon found his passing range. Kept the forwards going and defended well around the fringes. Will be a real handful once we bring our planned moves into operation.

Odie - his best performance of the season. Did well in the tight and produced some telling drives in the midfield. Tired in the last 10 minutes but a good game.

Ricky - led the pack well. First class technical skills in the scrum and lineout. Did a lot of the graft.

Wedders - scrummaged well and I swear I saw him put in 2 tackles around the fringes. Did the right things at the right time. Thanks for stepping up Paul.

Griffo - expected performance. Won his ball, locked out the scrummage and got about the park.

Tom Leathes - an excellent performance. Dominated the middle of the lineout and was to the fore in most of the forward exchanges.

Mark Rowe - good all-round game. Closed the inside channel all afternoon.

Lawrence Fairchild - the pick of the forwards on the field. Dynamic aggressive performance from No8 which may well prove to be his best position. Focal point for much of the good work put in by our forwards.

Nick - a quiet game but not really suited to his style. Solid game showing excellent technique.

Pete Lawton - son of "Stumpy" in his first team debut. Showed pace and determination and I should not be surprised to see more of him this season.

Mark

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