U10s venture off to Mansfield

If last year was anything to go on, we were excepting I hard physical match.

Andy and Ben did the all-important warming up of cold muscles on this chilly day which was looking good but muddy.

The teams were split up between Ben and Andy with Conner and Kris helping Mansfield to field two full teams and allowing everyone to have a run around.

How things have changed from last year “bar the weather which was the same”, passing, calling for the ball, tighter defensive lines, tackling and not running to the blindside. Garvin being ill meant there was a quieter side line, but it was good to see Richard back after several weeks. The players, after so many years and lots of hard work from the coaching team are starting to play as a team. The matches were a joy to watch. Luckily, given the cold weather and the physicality of the play the number of injuries was low with only a couple of ice packs being needed.

Andy: Today I though they all played well, collectively as a team in both games. Quicker in the break downs, clearing out and I felt there was some big individual performances. But I must say the big stand out player for tackling was Ethan although it’s obvious they all played well collective as a team. Ethan stood out, he played out wide on the wing and he utilised that space well he did everything you want a winger to do. Collectively as a team they were super, putting names on balls, using the space and for once they cut some good lines and finished off some great moves.

David: The step up from training last week was immense. Really good to see the speed at the breakdown improving and a much better awareness of offsides and good to see some nice low tackles!
I am really looking forward to playing the unknown quantity of Thornensians in Two weeks’ time!

Ben: Really impressed by the team’s performances today. I thought the support play was excellent until the final few minutes where everyone was staring to look pretty worn out. Great effort as always, should be proud of today's performances.

Alice: Work well with each other, good tackles and some good tries as well.

Thanks to Mansfield for a great game and look forward to playing them in a festival soon, and I’m told the luxury hot chocolate they make are to die for. Off-road facilities are enjoyable but extreme and a bit hard on the steering. The after-match food was so good some cheeky Panthers players tried to get thirds! Thomas and Ethan getting man of the match was well deserved. I am looking forward to even more improvement against Thornensians on the 27/01/2019.

Thanks to Alice, Andy, Ben, Dave and Richard.

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