Under 8s vs Rumney Match report on games 1 & 2
No one can accuse our ever inventive coaching staff of not trying a range of approaches to get the best out of the squad of ever willing players. From the cajoling… to the pleading… to the semi-frustrated yelling (a particularly popular method over with our U9 colleagues….) – its all been tried. This Sunday saw yet another cunning plan, right out of the school of Blackadder cunning plans (you know the kind – so cunning you could pin a tail on it and call it a weasel) – the offer of a rather splendiferous trophy to the day’s top “tagger”. More on the success (or otherwise) of this approach anon…..
So - on a day when the gloomy skies and dampness in the air made us all turn our coat collars up, and pull our hoods over our heads – what we needed was some bright sparkling rugby to take put a gloss on our day….. I have to say for once (maybe just the games I saw) – I’m not sure we had it this time….
Still a ray of hope was to be found in the dazzling running of Will S. who in the first half of the first game showed us what Cardiff City FOOTBALL club sees in him – the ability to spot the gap, a lightness of touch with the ball and great turn of pace to out run defenders to the line. Aided with some good early passing from his team – Cian and Rhys E, he raced to a first half hat trick and the game look set for convincing ‘Tyrch victory. However it wasn’t to be, as not for the first time, the lead was squandered and from 3 – 1 up at the turnaround the game was drawn at 3 – 3.
In the second game Will continued his good form, with the other boys assisting him this time with some better tagging and passing. Matthew joined in the try scoring this time and although they competed well – a combination of curious refereeing decisions on what was in and out of touch (preventing Rhys H from a worthy try for his wriggly efforts), and some more tailing off towards the end of the game saw this game lost at the death by the odd try 3 – 4
So – was this Top Tagging Trophy plan a success…? Ordinarily – it may very well have been…. But as with all cunning plans – theres often something unforeseen that trips you up… something you can't plan for or have a risk mitigation strategy in place for…. Yes the trophy was announced and yes a winner was decided upon (well done to Hari for being the inaugural winner) – but what you can't plan for is one of the match reporters walking off with said trophy in his pocket – leave a semi distraught winner on the field adding to the overall gloom of the day! Alls well that end well – he had is trophy in the end I hear…
Game 1 Rumney 3 Pentyrch 3 Will S x 3
Game 2 Rumney 4 Pentyrch 3 Will s x 2 Mathew
Match comments on games 3, 4 & 5
Good tagging, poor passing, Tyrch's yielding too much space, Tyrch's offside, Iestyn J injured possible black eye by Monday! Excellent running from Jac D with swinging hips to avoid being tagged, better second half in game 5 as a result of the mums 'encouragement' from the sideline. The consensus is the louder we shout the better they play so let's not be shy supporters and help the boys along!
Game 3 Rumney 3 Pentyrch 1 Jac D
Game 4 Rumney 3 Pentyrch 3 Jack W, Harvey, Rio
Game 4 Rumney 5 Pentyrch 4 Harry E, Jac D x 2, Jac H
Under 8s v CRCC
On a crisp autumnal day made for wide expansive running rugby, the U8’s turned in an excellent team performance to beat a combative CRICC opposition. Perhaps the by-line for this report ought to be “THAT way Joe!”given the number of times a semi exasperated Berian called this out. Evidently it had some impact, as the aforementioned Joe R, when pointed in the right direction showed his elegant running style to run a hat-trick of tries and get close on a couple of other occasions.
Also contributing to the all-round performance were Jeveigh (with some diligent tagging), Harvey for persistent chasing of the oppositions dangerous number 12, Rhys H for some good tracking back and tagging and Iestyn J, building on his stand-out performance last Sunday, with another fine set of passes made before being tagged.
As far as the scoring went Pentyrch were always a slight nose in front, but the replies from CRIC kept the interest of the crowd right to the end, with the ‘Tyrch deservedly ending up 7 – 5 winners.
Try scorers: Joe R x 3, Rhys H, Jac H, Jac D, Mathew
Match 2
Cricc 9 - Pentyrch 9 scorers Harry E x 2, Harvey, Rio x 4, Evan, Joe T
Under 8s Match vs Glamorgan Wanderers Sunday 30th October
Match 1
Arriving at the somewhat soggy field at the Memorial Ground in Ely, it was difficult to imagine the past glory days that Glamorgan Wanderers have experienced. A casual glance at their roll of honour shows a team used to (minor) glory and success - including being Cup Quarter Finalists in 1985, and defeating the American Eagles and Portuguese XV in 1987 apparently....
Were our boys daunted by their illustrious opponents? Not a bit of it - in fact it was great to see them relish the quagmire and make light work of the slippery ball with some good handling at times.
The first half saw them take the game firmly by the scruff of the neck - with Rhys H grabbing himself a quick jinxy-running hat-trick. He also provide a neat switch pass to Rio heading in the other direction for him to score unopposed in the corner. In the exclusive post match interview given to this reporter Rhys H revealed that this pass was however somewhat fortuitous - as he didn't see anyone to pass to at the time....
After the confusions as to whether we were playing a second match or a second half sorted itself out, it seems the boys were still mentally celebrating their first half, allowing the willing opposition to make a few breaks and get themselves back in the game. Despite two additional excellent individual tries from Will the game was eventually drawn at 6 points all.
Result: Glamorgan Wanderers 6 - 6 Pentyrch
Pentyrch Scorers: Rhys H (3), Rio (2), Evan
Match 2
And on to match 2, where our boys were pitched against the cream of Glamorgan Wanderers' youth policy.... and a somewhat controversial referee, who recognised the disparity in age and ability and blew his whistle accordingly.
The Junior Wanderers were just that.... we suspect some may have been smaller than the ball itself, and whilst undoubtedly enthusiastic, the rules of the game hadn't quite sunk in as yet - leading to interesting ways of getting the ball towards the Pentyrch try line. These boys weren't going to let mere touchlines dampen their desire to beat our bigger older boys... oh no - and if they needed to go around spectators, wheelchairs and through the club house to get to the try line - then that's what needed to be done... (ok I exaggerate - but you get the picture I hope....). As mentioned the referee tended on the lenient side - much to the incredulous looks on the Tyrch's faces on more than one occasion. Still a good game to understand that the referees whistle is final!
This game will live long in the memory it has to be said - not necessarily for the result or even for the way the boys played - more because of the enthusiasm of the opposition and the frustration of their coach!
Result: Glamorgan Wanderers 2 - 4 Pentyrch
Pentyrch Scorers: Rio (2), Rhys H, Evan
Scores:
Game 3 Pentyrch 6 GW 1 ) Harvey 2, Jac D, Jac H 1,
Game 4 Pentyrch 3 GW 4 ) Joe Richardson 1, Joseph Taylor 1
Under 8s vs Cowbridge
Game 1 - Pentyrch 5-9 Will S x 2 Wiliam x1 Morgan x 1 Jac H x 1
Game 2 - Pentyrch 5-4 Will S x 2 Jac H x 3
Game 3 - Pentyrch 3-6 Harvey, Rio, Jac D
Game 4 - Pentyrch 7-8 Jamie x 2, Rio x 4, Jo R