U10s host Ilkeston

With what was likely to be a very strong Ilkeston team visiting, and several rather tired Panthers players still recovering from a trip out to the England/Japan match with a musical return journey, this was always going to be a testing morning.

Many fans may have been hoping for the same level of play as we saw from England, well the second half anyway.

Andy and Ben warmed up the troops, as Ella told me of the team selection.

The match quickly became challenging and very physically contested events. The Panthers players fought on bravely, although as the morning progressed there were a few signs of weariness from a late-night of travel and dancing “your legend lives on Kris”. This was probably the most challenging match Chesterfield have played to date, showing flaws in the team’s tactics and in a surprise that will shock most parents, the kids were being too polite! and not engaging fast enough. Even with tired bodies and minds the players kept going, and as the match progressed we learned to compete more effectively with Ilkeston playing style.

Try scores today by Charlie, Khi, Ben, Vincent, Felix C, Felix D, Oli, William, Ethan and Henry.

Thoughts from the trenches:

Andy: I thought today was a massive step up for the U10’s. In teams of physically and how the games is played by certain teams. We dealt with it, but a bit of a shock to the system and a bit too polite, we gave them to much room and I dare say we were getting a bit bullied. Once they realised what was going off, they turned it round and to be fair to our players they fronted up and learned if they moved the ball out wide quickly enough, that they could open this team up and make gaps and that is what they started to do. When they realised that they could do that it became a lot more competitive game and overall, I very proud of them all and you can fault their commitment and at times their bravery going into some of those rucks.

Garvin: Once again the commitment and endeavour was absolutely fantastic. Ilkeston are the best team we have played without question. There are not many teams that could beat both Panthers teams and there a few things we as coaches need to learn a little bit better around playing the ball a bit quicker. What was really pleasing was that yes we can tackle, yes we can get to the break down, but what was really good they kept coming back and having another go. When we played their stronger team, although we were losing in the first half we stepped it up a gear in the second half.

Thanks to Ilkeston for some very challenging and well contested matches and we’ll looking forward to meeting them again later in the season.

The player of the week went to Ella. She really lead the way in stepping up to every challenge, especially the physicality of the play, and being extremely competitive at the breakdown.

Thanks to Andy, Garvin, Ben and a special thanks to Sam, refereeing his first match for us and doing a great job.

D.A. Cooke (Roving Match Reporter, U10(s) proof-reading Rachel Cooke any comments please email: Rugby@dacfox.com.

I think this weekend was another step up again for our players and as expected Ilkeston gave us a real test. They were quick out of the blocks and blew us away a little initially, with their intensity. I thought the players really stuck in there, and although it took a little while for us to match up (wake up?), we certainly turned it around and made a game of it. Once again, we’ll take what we’ve learnt in these matches to try and develop and improve our own game. Well done to all involved, looking forward to training on Sunday - BP