On yet another summer's day, our first team played host to Newbold -on- Avon, a side considered by many to be in the promotion chase at the end of the season. A defeat, and with it our long standing unbeaten home record, by 52-14 seemed a little harsh but in all honesty our visitors were fitter, better organised and faster than us.Over the past couple of seasons we were fitter than most opponents and were very efficient at finishing strongly having worn them down in the first half. Well, if we hope to survive in this league we have to realise that even higher levels of fitness are essential and that our first up tackles are effective. I do not believe that we are out of our depth but we have a lot to do in order to finish the season in the top half.
Development/2nds
I enjoyed watching our up and coming boys in action against
one of the strongest clubs on our fixture list, Old Halesonians. From the start we carried the game to them with strong driving runs particularly from Dave Langley and Dan Green. The platform was set for our sharp backs to run in some tries. In particularly good form was young Jack Seifas. Jack looks young enough to playing on sunday mornings but whenever the visitors kicked deep to him, his speed and elusive running opened up the Halesonians defence. Jack himself scored two of our tries and he seems to have heard about buying jugs of beer as he seemed content with just the two scores.
It was good to see one time Old Yard, Steve Leahy, in a lime green fleece jacket, (all the rage in Clent) who is the proud father of Old H's second row, conor who was one of the stars at that centre of rugby excellence, better know as Thomas Aquinas.
Vandals/3rds
Captain Sean, informs me that he was very proud of his team as they visited Hagley and won a very difficult game against the Old Halesonians by 15-7. He was starting to make predictions about how the season would progress. Not always the best approach Sean, take it one game at a time.