FORDINGBRIDGE RFC – Under 10s match report 13.10.13

Anyone looking for a quick route to millions would be well advised to start attending junior rugby matches with a stock of new and used gum shields; they can be sold at significant profit to the parents of those who forget, almost every week, where they put theirs.

This week in the under 10s it was the parents of Finley who came to the rescue with a spare shield after Jack P managed to lose his in the 5 steps between being given his by his Mother at the front door and getting into the car.

What happened in the match?

Fordingbridge won reasonably comfortably. It was only one try to nil but the solitary threat to our try line was an isolated breakaway. Ringwood had a 3 on one position with only Ben P. to beat. Their ball carrier exuded confidence as he bore down on our line. Ben held his ground and waited before launching himself, textbook fashion, into the Ringwood midriff. Having flattened him Ben managed to ensure the ball came back slowly…panic over and in truth Ringwood never threatened to trouble the scorer again.

If there is a weakness in the Fordingbridge team it is a reluctance to look for the supporting player to pass to.

The strengths are a longer list. They tackle with commitment, they are not perfect, but they are good. Ben P. and James C. were outstanding, James snatching the “best tackler” trophy this week. He repeatedly commits himself without fear and he is repeatedly successful, he throws himself at thigh height into anyone passing.

Ben and James were not alone, the tackling has a depth in the under 10s. One feels that if they carry on developing like this then in a year or 3 they could be a tough unit. Gaby, wearing the brightest socks on display, more than pulled her weight; the new Hayden, with the thickest hair in Hampshire joined in with gusto, as did Finley, a young Jean-Pierre Rives, as in fact did everyone.

Ben has developed a talent for speed around the back of the scrum on the opposition’s put in. He caught whoever was playing at scrum half time and again.

Second strength is the coach. It doesn’t matter how much potential a team has, they need someone with the patience of a saint (and the ability to herd cats) to bring out their latent talent; an Alex Ferguson. TK has made a huge difference; he clearly knows what he’s talking about and the team respect him (even if they don’t always show it in training).

There is also some great running. Max and Luc found gaps on a narrow pitch. Jack P took a slower but generally direct route up the middle, I’ve told him he’s sucking in their defence, he looks unconvinced.

This season we have also had the benefit of some new blood in Finley and Hayden 2. Fordingbridge is a small club and we must maintain and increase numbers. This week at Ringwood was reassuring in that we had a squad of 11. Success will, one suspects, breed success in recruitment as well as victories.

This year group has always punched well above its weight. In previous seasons we have emerged successful at various tournaments against huge clubs who couldn’t handle our small but robust group. They were described on Sunday by one Mother as “a motley crew”. Motley they are, in fact it’s almost an understatement, but they have it within themselves, each of them, to be very effective. They have a certain charm about them, like a bunch of renegade commandos.

This week’s players were:
Jacks Wells (overlooked, with huge apologies from team co-ordinator and her husband, each of whom should have been more on the ball); Jack P; Hayden 1; Hayden 2; Finley; Ben; Gaby; Archie; Max, James and Luc.

This week’s lost property is:
1 top with the name tag “James Cook” in it which seems a decent clue as to the owner;
1 dark grey (possibly black earlier in its life) small hoody with the “Fordingbridge RFC” and “Pains Fireworks” logos on the front. Smallish in size, this was draped over the water bottles at the end of the match.
Owners contact Alicia or Bobby for its return.

Next week we are at home and TK wants us there at 9:45 if possible.

P.S. we found Jack’s gum shield; he had wedged it on top of the passenger’s door handle above the door; where else?