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DRFC Lions vs Swans and North Dorset.
Well
done on an excellent performance on Sunday! You played much more like a
team. There were some fantastic attacking runs, but this time you were also
looking for support from team mates and passing the ball between
yourselves. Some of the mauling and rucking was a joy to watch.
There were numerous times when you kept possession for long periods, putting
together several phases of play linked by some swift and accurate passing.
When you were able to do that and keep the ball moving forwards was when
you, as a team, were most effective and that is something, along with
tackling, we can look at over the next few sessions. We also need to look
at how we can make sure that we always go into mauls and rucks from the
"back door" (and not through the French windows at the side - even if they
have been left open!)
As a team, you thoroughly deserved your tries (told you they'd come!) and
your victory. Personally, I got as much satisfaction in watching you keep
Swans out in the second half of the first game as I did in watching you win
against North Dorset. To have conceded three tries in the first half
(despite playing really well together) and then to have kept them out for
the whole of the second half showed real team spirit - and it was that
spirit that won the second game for you.
You unanimously chose Ben Hargreaves as your man of the match and I agree.
He put in an astonishing performance that much older players would have been
proud of. Julian, Charlie, Nick Priestley and others also showed real
determination and flare. A fantastic way to finish 2007! Clive Dibben Team
Coach.
Dorchester Lions vs Weymouth and Ivel
Well done everyone who played last Sunday - and there were lots of you! You played some really good rugby, so don't worry too much about the score, it didn't reflect your effort. You did what I asked you to do, which was to keep possession of the ball for as long as possible. What we need to look at in the next few weeks is improving our commitment to tackling. And in attack, we need to work much more on working as a team to get the ball moving forward. Last Sunday there was lots of fantastic, attacking, evasive running, but most of it was wasted because either there were no support runners or the ball carriers weren't making use of them. We need to remember that rugby is a team game and try to mix the things we learnt from tag last year with the new skills we are are learning this year in contact. Do that and the tries will come. I hope you all had fun on Sunday. I certainly enjoyed. watching you play.
Clive Dibben (Team Coach).
This Sunday we are playing away at Bridport 10.30. Weather permitting!
Blandford v Dorchester Lions
An easy journey was had to Blandford RFC with regards to little traffic,
justified by the time change, gale force winds, and driving rain. The rain and
wind continued constantly throughout the two matches. A warm welcome goes to a
new, but experienced, rugby club member from Eastbourne Rugby Football Club,
Mathew Rubrecht. His Dad, notably a coach from Eastbourne is also very warmly
welcomed.
All the boys seemed to be in their element with their second match ever of contact rugby and went into playing a very evenly matched game. Ben Hargreaves scored our Lions first Try with a brave persistent assault on Blandford, then Blandford returned with a smart touchdown.
The
Lions then fought back in the second half by pushing a held ball, released near
the touchline to be smartly put down by Charlie Hitchcock. Other Tries were
scored by both sides during the game, but unfortunately, and by this time, my
note book was sodden through; I don't think even a roll call of players was
taken. We have the great satisfaction of knowing that our tough little Lions
will not balk at any form of bad weather especially when they are in pursuit of
their game of Sunday Rugger!
Useful recipe for wet rugger day - one cold, wet child, hot bath filled to the
top, two tablespoons of Coleman's dried mustard and, when dry, place in front of
TV and log fire in dressing gown until tender!!!
A wonderful sunny morning greeted us with our arrival at Chard. The tired children from watching the Rugger World Cup on TV the night before were quickly fired up for their fist game ever of "tackle rugby".
Most of our Lions have played many years of tag rugger to reach this major turning point, which goes a long way towards playing a game of all rule Rugby. Three short matches of 9 a side were played and they all turned out to be very close games.
Chard, had already a few weekends earlier played some matches and the Lions had to rally themselves promptly, which they did so by pushing forward strongly. A penalty scrum, their first ever scrum, was given unfortunately to Chard. Brave and exceptionally good tackling by Ben Hargreaves and Nick Priestly led to a fast pace up and down the separate halves of the pitch, with Chard just pushing through our defence to score.
In the second half Chard seemed to gain confidence with some good long passing to score once again, after what I would say was some very strong opposition. Clive explained in the private match debriefing that we had some tough Lads and Lassies, but we must pass the ball more.
Chard does have a brave young lady playing for them, and Ladies Rugger quite rightly is becoming more, and more, popular; having great camaraderie on and off the Field! The second game left us just short of one Try, with good forward play by Ryan Solway. Then Christopher Ninham suddenly made a classic breakaway for the Lions and made a Try. In the second half Christopher Williams made a very good tackle supporting the constant achievement on the Field by Ben Hargreaves. Other exceptional players on the day were Ryan George "man of the match" on his very good technical play and Olivia Clitheroe.
A remarkable 16 Players turned up for the Lions today, who I will try and write down by name for hopefully archiving next year on the DRFC Web Site. Samuel Adshead, Julian Dale, George Dibben, Ryan George, Ben Hargreaves, Charles Hiscock, Toby Mercer, Christopher Ninham, Zachery Powell, Nicholas Priestley, Ben Randall, Haydon Smith, Ryan Solway, Christopher Williams, Olivia Clitheroe, Richard Carter