Given the conditions the boys and Darma were fantastic this morning. It's never easy for any team to play in weather like that and obviously the kids feel it even more. They showed huge heart to keep going.

The players did everything we asked in the warm up and showed much more enthusiasm for the task ahead - they had their 'Rugby heads' on which is what we had asked for.

Knights 0 - Barnet Lions 4
The improved warm up showed in the first game as the Knights commitment and physicality was immense in the first half. We took the ball into the heart of the Barnet defence with real determination and to hold them to one try playing up hill was a great effort. The start of the second half was a little disappointing as we started to panic with the ball in hand - we need to learn to take the tackle and only offload when we are in control. This gave Barnet some territory in the last third leading to a couple of tries as they got their handling game going. I know the result went against us but sometimes we just have to accept we were beaten by a better side (their handling / passing down the line was excellent, especially in those conditions) and take heart from our performance.

MOM - I have chosen Max D, not for his tackling this week, but for his ball carrying. He got over the gain line every time. This is something the coaches have asked him to do more and he has responded. Both Barnet coaches commented on how well he played too! Well done Max.

Kings 1 - Barnet Tigers 3
The Kings were also committed and determined. This game was played much more down the middle as Barnet Tigers were less skillful than their Lions team. We competed well with Joe and Jack making plenty of yards. Again even though the result went against us their was no disgrace as Barnet had supplemented their team with three boys who had played in the first game. The game really could have gone either way. What the Kings performances this season shows me is that we have real strength in depth, we must remember that Jack, Dan, Alex and William have only really been playing Rugby a few weeks and they are all getting better each week.

MOM - Joe for some real hard running, just what is needed on a day like today and proof of how you can play with your 'Rugby head' on! Well done Joe.

The weather was by now taking its toll as the boys were wet and cold. What was supposed to be a Knights v Lions followed by the Kings v Tigers re match turned into whoever was still keen to play and I think it was 11 v 10 at the end!!!

We are training next week and Richard Bowden is going to plan a session around handling / passing. Today has shown me we can match the best teams in tackling / rucking and the physical stuff if we turn up with our 'Rugby heads' but we are some way behind in our passing ability - lets keep working hard and we'll get there.

As the weather turns please make sure the boys are appropriately dressed. If they want to cover their legs then tight leggings are better than tracksuit bottoms. I would really discourage playing in tracksuit bottoms as once they get wet they just cling to their legs and make them colder. They also make it easier for the opposition to tackle you. Base layer tops are a must as well as plenty of layers and a waterproof to put on between matches. Its a good idea to have a bag for these so they can stay as dry as possible.

Finally I hope Ethan and James are feeling better, they both pulled out at the start. Ethan was feeling sick and James was actually sick on the pitch.

See you next week or Thursday for those venturing out where the coaches and Dad's will de-brief the highlight of the day when Oscar put his Dad on his bum during the warm up!!!!

Chess Valley Rugby Football Club

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