Silverware to end the season
So the final match of the 20223-23 saw us travelling to Thames Ditton for the Waterfall Plate Final against Barnes. Bad traffic conditions meant we arrived a little in dribs and drabs, dribbling being the operative word with persistent rain meaning a slightly miserable warm up. But despite the weather, we had a good warm up followed by a pre match chat about respect for referees. Timely as the ref was the same as last week - and they seemed in the right mood from the off.

Barnes were a big and useful outfit and put pressure on from the start after we dropped the kick off. But a theme for the day was out ferocious tackling – indeed their coaches commented on it - and we never took a backward step. Out continued pressure led to turnovers, gaining ground and pushing up towards their line. We were more ruthless with our own possession and Micah went over in the corner to put us 5-0 up. In a change from us doing this last week, it was now Barnes who seemed to lose their discipline conceding penalties and then further ground for dissent. And from a penalty near the post Judah crashed over for a second try which Ellis converted to put us 12-0 ahead at half time.

Barnes turned up the pressure in the second half and we struggled to contain them at the scrum – as indeed had been the case for most of the game. They pushed us back towards our own line and although we defended and tacked heroically, they crashed over themselves from close range to reduce the deficit to 12-5. Game on and some nerves on the touchline given Barnes seemed to be getting on top. But the boys pulled themselves together and forced further errors which Ellis and Judah kicked on towards their posts. While we did not score immediately, we did keep them penned in their own 20 and from one of own attacks, Josh M – who was immense in the second row – drove very close to the line and from the resultant ruck Jack crashed over for a top prop’s try – less than a metre!!. Ellis converted to put us 19-5 ahead. From there we held on quite comfortably given the standard of our tackling and rucking which stopped them making too much ground.

Barnes were a good side with a number of good and strong runners and an awesome scrummage which kept us under pressure. But the boys never took a backward step and as one threw their bodies on the line for a well deserved victory - as acknowledged by their very nice coaching team. And of course an extra bonus this week was the opportunity to lift a trophy which went down very well and is a reward for the efforts they have put in.

Only positives this week
• Tackling and rucking were really exceptional today. Every player put in a shift and lined up the opposite number tacking the big guys in pairs when necessary. Barnes were near our lines on a couple of occasions but could not force their way over
• Organisation was much better – we lined up bodies so most of the time we were not out-numbered – perhaps heads up to look for space when we have the ball – but a big step forward today.
• But the biggest plus for all the coaches was their positive attitude throughout the match. There have been a number of ups and downs with this throughout the season but we have been drilling in the importance of supporting your team mates with parents support. And today it showed in buckets. Everyone gave 100%, played for and encouraged each other. James was listening to both teams after conceding tries – our boys were all about heads up and encouragement, their boys were talking about who was doing things wrongly. Rugby is a team game and today showed the benefits of playing like that.

So the season is now over and my brief reflections are really ones of pride in how much they have developed as a team over the year. We as coaches have had our moments with them – they are after all 13/14 year old boys – but with the support of parents, they are really starting to fulfil their potential as rugby players and make us all proud. If they continue to show the togetherness they showed today, we will only get better. And a final thanks to the parents who have trudged along whatever the weather and just as importantly, supported us in the decisions we have been taking over the year. It really is much appreciated and makes coaching much easier.
Have a good summer all