Gold 70 v Diss 5 (H) (Hazza 3, Matt 3, Max 2, Sam W, Mo 2, Ethan 3)

A wonderful performance at the Lane this morning from our Gold Squad boys as they went up against a Diss side that had good size and pace but were put on the back foot from the very first whistle as Sam Wright kicked off beautifully, Ethan caught their receiver, we secured the ruck and set a platform from which Hazza scored inside a minute. Diss didn’t know what had hit them and we as a coach team were really pleased with the intensity that the boys showed from the get go right to the end of the 50 minutes.

We showed great power in our forwards throughout the game and I can remember great positivity from the 9 of them that were named in the squad. Obviously Hazza and Matt get the plaudits with three tries a piece but George and Bill got through so much dirty work that can often go unnoticed hitting tackle after tackle, securing ball and turning it over. Logan made a brilliant blindside run of at least 25 metres showing genuine aggression handing off at least 4 players, Robert made some great tackles and put his body on the line without thinking, Rowan also made a couple of thundering runs and Daniel got through his work in the scrum efficiently and timely.

Our backs had a good day also. Sam W was clinical with his kicking throughout and we backed him up in his run lines and as a team we tried go through our hands and keep the ball alive as much as we could. Harvey had the best game I’ve ever seen him have since I’ve worked with him. Real aggression in his tackling and good running. Ethan was aggressive with and without the ball showing his dancing feet, lightning pace and roll offs whenever he could, Will R was very good at inside centre showing lovely hands and visual awareness, Finlay was excellent at outside centre in what is for him a new side looking very comfortable, Mo was busy and to the point as ever, AJ was excellent out wide, always trying to keep the ball alive and Max was his laid back relaxed best at fullback.

At half-time we went in 35-5 up and we were very disappointed with the try we gave them. I say gave them as the lad rode three tackles. We don’t mind the opposition scoring if they’ve earned it but we never want to be giving them points. The boys committed to work harder in the second half and try and shut them out over the 25 minutes which is how it played out in the end.

The second half was better, if it can be when you've scored 7 tries in the first half! We scored a further 7 unanswered tries but the beauty was all in the way the boys worked and worked through faze after faze, time and time again over the 25 minutes. We were very pleased with our fitness and our belief. The boys backed one another and it was lovely to see how together they were at the end of the game as they congratulated each other on the win.

The boys all looked very smart in their shirts and ties afterwards and were a credit to the club again today. Well done boys.

Man of the Match

There were a number of contenders today. In the forwards, Bill, Hazza, Matt and George all had stellar days. In the backs, Ethan, Mo and Harvey were very good also. We went with Ethan for his brilliant tackling, running and three tries. Well done Ethan.

Things to work on

We need to hit all of our tackles all of the time. Yes we may be being really picky but we could have had a shut out today. Lets be really tight boys moving forward.

We all need to remember our shirts, ties, trousers and shoes.

When we are at home we need to let the opposition get their food before us. Well done for all going into the kitchens afterwards to say thank you and for taking your plates back. Well done also for leaving the dressing room spotless. We look after ourselves. Nobody cleans up after us remember.