Head Coach's Report
January 2012 Report by Johnny Breedt
The season resumed after the festivities with our first xv travelling to Basildon. At the start of the season we lost to them at home 15 – 17 so we fancied our chances this time round. Unfortunately we fell short with an average display of rugby. Although we showed glimpses of good rugby our poor start to the match put us under pressure and we could not fight our way back. We lost this game 17 – 7.
The following weekend we entertained a big crowd at home with some entertaining rugby and an 11 try romp over Beccles. We got our bonus point try within 15 minutes of the game. Beccles had no answer to our pace and power and although they put up a fight they could not finish of their chances. We won this game 71 – 14 and showed for the first time of the season what we are capable of when we play as a team and start the game strongly. This leaves us joint fifth with Lowestoft on the table with only a small point’s difference separating the two sides
We now have a tough run facing second place Enfiled away, fourth place Hampstead at home and joint fifth place Lowestoft and Yarmouth away. If we have full strength sides available for these games and we play well we can beat them. We need to believe in ourselves and stick to our structures we have in place.
The youth section is doing well. With all our sides from under 7 to under 17 showing their competition what rugby is all about. Our u/ 14’s are in the Suffolk Trophy competition with Colchester, Sudbury and Bury. Watching them play I am confident that they will be a real threat in this competition. Our u/15’s won their plate competition and are now through to the trophy competition, where they will face Bury, Colchester and Southwold. I have no doubt that they will do well in this competition.
Our u/17’s played Wymondum in the Eastern Counties semi final and I was lucky enough to witness this game. Remarkably they came through their group of five teams only conceding 25 points and scoring 162 points. It was pleasing to see that they were well supported by the younger kids, parents, senior players and committee members. It has been a long while since a youth side enjoyed so much support at our club, long may it continue. They won this close and highly entertaining match 24 – 10 and I am sure the support gave them the extra motivation they needed. They now face Cambridge at Humber Doucy Lane 5 February at 14:00 in the EASTERN COUNTIES FINAL. I have looked back up to 2000 and Ipswich has never won the u/17 trophy, so what an achievement for the boys, coaches and parents should they win the final. I hope we can get as many supporters up on that day as possible.
As a club we are now heading towards the back end of the season and both juniors and senior sides have hard work ahead of them if they want to finish the season on a high. With some important fixtures and days coming up now is the time to get together as a club and support one another and appreciate all the effort and hard work all the volunteers, coaches and parents are doing behind the seens. I think some times we forget that we all do what we do for the love of the game and the kids!
If any age group wants some Master Classes on a Sunday please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thanks
Johnny
November 2011 Report by Johnny Breedt
Since the last report Ipswich First XV have played four league games, with mixed results. We played Enfield Ignations who is currently fourth in the league at home and lost narrowly 25 – 30. We lost this game narrowly after the team was forced to move pitches due to the one of the visitor’s player suffering a serious injury. Luckily one of our players Nick Williams a student paramedic was at the game and did a brilliant job in stabilising the player until the ambulance arrived. Thankfully the player made a full recovery.
Our next game was to London based side Hampstead away. This is a club that fields five senior sides, a vet side and two ladies teams. We were outclassed by them and deservedly lost 48 – 17. It was clear that the players had to start playing as a team and not individuals. The players made a commitment to themselves and the team that they will start showing more urgency and dedication to the club. They set themselves a target of being in the top four by Christmas.
The following side we faced a strong Lowestoft and Yarmouth side that boasted with an International Tongan centre. After the disappointing game against Hampstead, the players were determined to honour their commitment to each other and the club. We managed a win against the visitors and deny them a bonus point. This game showed that if we put our minds to it and we stick to our structures we can beat any side in the league.
Our last match was away to Canvey Island. We started the game in the worst possible way by letting Canvey score three tries within the first twenty minutes. With some stern words during half time we came out with more purpose and determination. We outplayed the Canvey side and managed to win the game 42 – 22. That is after being 22 – 7 down at half time.
We are a very talented side, but do not show it for a full 80 minutes at the moment. We are in the habit of playing for parts of the game and then letting in some easy tries with very average play. I am confidant that we will improve at this and that the “perfect” game is not far off.
The next two Saturdays we are at home and it is our goal to not just win both games, but also get maximum points from both. We are currently sharing fifth place in the league with two other sides, it is only points difference separating us.
Our seconds are also having a good time. They are third in the league at the moment. After beating Bury and YM convincingly, they only lost one game against league leaders Diss so far. Before this game Diss scored a total of 248 points and conceded no points. Our Magpies managed to score a try against them, but unfortunately lost 31 – 5.
On the junior front the teams are going from strength to strength. I will endeavour to watch all age groups play. So far I have managed to watch some of the U15, U16 and U17 fixtures. All three these teams are playing some sublime rugby. They show a lot of skill and talent. The U15 side seems to be unstoppable at the moment. They seem to play with so much confidence and look good as a unit.
I have had the pleasure of working with the U16 side and can I just say what a pleasure it was working with these boys. Their willingness to learn was very refreshing. I am proud to say that some of our senior players under the charge of our first team number eight Chris Blom have been working with this side and their coaches every Wednesday evening for the past two months. Both senior players and U16 players have been enjoying this. It is refreshing to see the senior players at the club on a Sunday supporting these boys and them knowing each other’s names.
Our U17 side is an absolute pleasure to watch. It is amazing to see the amount of talented players this side has. They seem to be unstoppable at the moment and must be clear favourites to win the Eastern Counties Cup. Their next cup match is against North Walsham at home 27 November at home. I recommend that people come and watch them; I promise it will be time well spent.
The senior players and coaching staff have started their Master Classes with the youth on Sundays. This has been well received by the juniors and enjoyed by the seniors. Hopefully this will go from strength to strength as it can only benefit the club.
Finally I would just like to thank all the coaches and managers for their dedication and hard work.
Email Johnny at machinewest@yahoo.com