Moortown RUFC Acorn Rugby Festival 2006

Played 4, Won 3, Lost 1 Drew 0 TF 16 TA 6

Game 1
Harrogate 0 - Wetherby 3
A sleepy start to the season against local rivals Wetherby in the first game of the festival tries were conceded in minutes 1, 5 and 8 with no return. All three tries were the result of great individual running from Wetherby players aided somewhat by generous gaps in Harrogate's line defence coupled with no tackle attempt. We then had a gap in play as Oliver was badly injured making a great try saving tackle by the far touchline. Unfortunately Oliver had to make a trip to A&E – we still don’t know if he has broken anything but hope he gets better soon. After play resumed our defence tightened up and we started to play on the front foot but were unable to break a well drilled Wetherby defence with a succession of crash ball attempts.

Game 2
Harrogate 4* – Moortown 3
Our second game was after a long wait against hosts Moortown who we have played a few times before and have always had tough close physical games against them. It is fair to say that is exactly what happened this time as well but nice to edge the result with a much improved performance from Harrogate with the players taking on the lessons of game one and delivered much better tackling, a more varied game play and much much more intensity. We quickly went into a 2-0 lead with ties from Hugo and Tom. Tries were then traded with the Ripon tank Gabriel opening his account for the morning until Moortown scored two of their own seeing the score tied at 3-3 going into the last minute. In the last minute of the game we were able to ship the ball out wide to Luca who finished the opportunity with a great burst of pace.
* (I have 4 tries written down on my notes but it may have been 5)

Game 3
Harrogate 4 – Sandal 0
Games were like buses at Moortown you wait for one and then two come along back to back! A quick turn around from a tough game against Moortown with a water break so us straight back on against Sandal who are again familiar opponents with several of the team having played at Sandal’s festival last year. This was a game Harrogate dominated from start to finish with tries from Luca (2m) Ted, (8m), Rufus P(13m) and Ted again at the death. What was really pleasing in the performance of this game was the variation in the tries. The first try was one of our best of the day with good quick ruck ball being pushed through the hands to Luca on the wing – this usually ends up with a score and Luca delivered. A similar try was scored by Rufus on the other wing and a more expansive game was opening up opportunities for all as Ted found more space for route one rugby due to defenders having to cover the full width of the pitch. His second try game from quick ball from a scrum in the middle of the pitch. A good team effort and really pleasing to see the guys self-coaching during breaks in play!

Game 4
Harrogate 8 – Bramley 0
Having opened the festival we also had the honour of closing proceedings with a game against Bramley. The form from the Sandal game continued and again a dominant Harrogate performance with a variation of tries, good hands, good rucking, good tackling and support running from all. Tries were scored by Luca (1m), Paddy (2m), Luca (3m), Gabriel (7m), Tom (9m), Paddy (12m), Gabriel (13m) and Tom (14m). The last try typified the sort of rugby this coach likes to see at Harrogate – good quick ruck phase ball put through the hands and then Hugo set off on a great run which looked like it would result in a try all for some great last ditch defending by Bramley to stop him about 5metres out. The try was still scored due to great support running from Tom who took a nice offload for an unopposed trot across the line. A nice end to a great days work by all.

Summary
A great day out in the sun and good to be back playing Rugby again there was a wonderful level of effort from all throughout the morning and after our first game wake up call great concentration levels throughout. Although everyone didn’t get on the score sheet there was some great work making the hard yards in the rucks and tackles from Henry T, Harry, Rufus M, Henry S and Joe. Rugby is a team sport and without the hard work to win the ball we don’t have the opportunity to score tries. I think it is fair to say our players understand that and it was good to see all of them gather round Oliver to check he was ok as he went off to A&E. All of them hope you have a speedy recovery.