U8 Team News
Last Updated: 31 January, 2010
Crewe and Nantwich RFC U8’s vs Bowden – Away –
Sunday 15-Nov-09
Another fine day for a game of rugby, we are getting spoilt so far, no sign of rain or snow yet.
A good turnout again today, 2 teams with a couple of spares for substitutions. The teams were mixed up again to give everyone a chance of playing in a good entertaining game, and this week we were very close to pulling off victories in most games. However, Bowden were a well disciplined side that just had the edge and were victorious in the end.
Panthers 1st Game
Bowden started off the well and managed to score a couple of tries early on. The Panthers fought back valiantly with tries from Max, Reece, Lewis, Rory and Katy. The try from Lewis was especially pleasing as not only was started and finished by Lewis, there were 4 excellent passes in support play which cut through Bowden. Some excellent tackling too place with plenty of determination shown by all of the team. Reece took a bit of a knock at one stage, but was soon up again getting stuck in. Unfortunately due to the slow start, we were never able to catch up and Bowden won the match 11 - 7. Well done Rory for his first try of the season.
Cheetahs 1st Game
From the kick off, clever running and a try from Nathan gave C&N a good start. However, an unorganised restart in defence from C&N allowed Bowden to respond with a try immediately from kick off. Again from the C&N kick off Ben made a strong run and try to put C&N up 2 tries to 1. Once again though the reply was an instant try from Bowden. It looked like the extra space on the pitch was favouring the strong runners on both sides. 2-2.
Both sides then picked up the defensive duties and there was some good tagging on both sides with Matthew and Ben taking some tags as last man in defence for C&N.
Ben then made a great run diagonally and finally down the touchline for his second try. Bowden came back with a good attack where the C&N defence were fingertips away from snatching tags on 3 occasions but ultimately conceding a try. 3-3
C&N had a good team move passing the ball out of 5 tags that resulted disappointingly in a knock-on 2 metres from the try line.
As well as some strong tagging, Matthew provided timely support to a good series of play that included Harry, Nathan and Richard with Matthew going over just before half time for C&N.
The last run before the turnaround resulted in Bowden going over for an equalising try for a 4-4 end to the half.
Some of the Bowden tagging was absolutely on the line with C&N attacking in numbers with good support and on another day C&N could have fared better with the decisions.
4-4 half time
Second half
Bowden came out all guns blazing in the 2nd half with 2 quick tries before C&N got organised, a passage of play that involved almost all of the C&N team resulted in a try, the move starting with a great run by Ben and him ultimately being perfectly placed to take a short pass from Nathan after a number of tags and good lay offs to step over the line for his 3rdtry. 6-5
Harry and Matthew continued the strong straight forward running for C&N in the second half without individual success and were supported in numbers that resulted in Ben going over again with some good positional play before Bowden stole the match shortly before the final whistle.
Final score match 1 Bowden 7 – C&N 6
Panthers 2nd Game
This game was a lot closer than the first after some sound motivational advice from the coaches during the break. Panthers were up with the play from the start and the teams were neck and neck throughout the game. It was evident by the low scores that this game was hard fought with some excellent tackling from both teams. Tries were scored by Max and Adrian, but unfortunately Bowden clinched it 4 - 3.
Cheetahs 2nd Game
Bowden pressed from the kick off and there was some solid defending as C&N looked more organised from the off. Bowden got their rewards though with a try from a run down the touchline. From the resulting kick off Harry made a strong straight run and was tagged 4 metres out but C&N could not capitalise on the good position.
C&N eventually replied with a well worked passage of play with Nathan on hand again for a step over try.
There were then 3 tries in quick succession with 2 going to Bowden and 1 to C&N.
Bowden were then put under pressure for some time, ultimately with Ben coming close by going over only to lose out as the ball was judged to be out of his control. Bowden responded with a try at the other end with C&N again not being quite close enough to their opponents to get their tags despite some committed efforts.
Half time 4-2
Bowden were first off the mark again in the 2nd half with C&N coming close to tagging on several occasions without success. Nathan then picked up ball half way up the pitch and scored a great try after a mazy run.
Bowden responded in similar fashion almost immediately as the game opened up.
Then after a good passage of team play Richard picked the ball up 15 metres out and made a clever dart for the line going over for C&N. Again C&N were napping as Bowden scored almost immediately from the kick-off.
With a final push Bowden continued to put pressure on C&N, there was some good defending as the team stuck together under pressure. The final flourish was Nathan going over a final time for his fourth try of the game.
Final score match 2, Bowden 7 – C&N 6
Well done to all who played some great commitment from all and some excellent tackling. Hopefully we did not miss anyone out, as the pace was frantic at times.
Mark G and Matt DL
Crewe & Nantwich RUFC U 8’s 8th November 2009
Verse Macclesfield RUFC
Match Report
A good turn out from both clubs each fielding two teams of eight with a couple of reserves on this overcast cold morning at Vagrants Park.
There has been a big build up this week as Macclesfield are recognised as a strong well organised team and one C&N were targeting.
As a change from the previous weeks the coaching staffs have experimented by mixing the Panthers and Cheetahs teams up with a blend of experienced and rookies in each team.
The warm up/training game went well, getting everyone involved and some feeling into those extremities.
This was diligently followed by one minutes silence for all the soldiers fallen on this Remembrance Day.
Game 1 Lost 5-3
C&N Panthers V Macclesfield 1
This was a close duel with a good tries from Ben & Nathan. The lead changed several times in the early stages before Macclesfield stretched the defence out wide to put on two unanswered tries followed with a late try by Harry with some good straight running.
Game 2 Lost 6-3
C&N Cheetahs V Macclesfield 2
Two tries from Max O and one from Aiden
Game 3 Lost 7-5
C&N Panthers V Macclesfield 2
Tries from Max L, Nathan, Ben Nurse and Matthew
Game 4 Lost 8-3
C&N Cheetahs V Macclesfield 1
Tries from Max O, Aiden and Riley
Overall this was a good morning of footy despite the results the players progressed well with some excellent tries and Ben Nurse taking out the player of the day.
