Fareham Heathens and Banbury

Moving right along to the one of our split-squad matches from Sunday.

Once we all found our way through Fareham's Romulan Cloaking Device it was quite an enjoyable day - a bit longer and colder than expected, but that's April for you.

A bit of a mixed bag I suppose. Banbury were clearly a powerful bunch and very well-organized. The value of tackling low was pretty clearly illustrated - or at least the drawbacks of not fully committing to the tackle. I'll leave the coaches to pick out the good and bad examples.

At one point in the Banbury match it looked like it was turning into lineout practice. That's all very well, but maybe we can try one or two outside our 22 next time? I think the boys did very well to keep such a strong side at bay and it was only one fumble-under-pressure that finally brought us down. I think the side was starting to gel in the second half and threatened to score a couple of times.

Much less pressure against Fareham and I thought there was some good rugby - in particular a couple of very canny kicks by Albert (at least, I think that's who did it - see? we really need to get the coaches writing stuff on here!).

Photos are here:

http://www.testvalleyphotos.co.uk/WRFC/FarehamHeathens

Caption photos:

"That's the way to do it!"

"Photo Finish"

Basingstoke and Barbarians

How well those two words go together. I wonder what goes well with Winchester?

Hmm, yes...what else? Ah, of course - Winners!

Anyway - although it was a gratifying result I must admit I rather got the feeling that Basingstoke didn't really turn up, either mentally or physically. A good bit of rough and tumble, though, and the second "barbarians" match was pretty exciting.

No idea what the score was, though.

Some photos:

http://www.testvalleyphotos.co.uk/WRFC/Basingstoke

Can't resist the caption competition photo (Alistair, you can't complain - dressing like that is a clear cry for attention. Or help) :

New Milton 7s - Final and Medals

Phew - finally got down to the last few photos. This time for New Milton and Dorchester, the semi and final respectively:

http://www.testvalleyphotos.co.uk/WRFC/NewMilton7sPart3

I think everyone must have been pretty strung out by then - still a pretty furious pace, though with some impressive scorelines. Eventually Alan is going to post his match report to this blog.

Caption competition suggestions for the following, please:

"Yes, I know it's only been three minutes, but we scored another one....Yes, it was Zack.....Will took the kick....No, I didn't see which foot he used, but probably the same as last time....."

"Oooh, I can hardly lift it."

7s Photos - Second phase

OK - just time to post these before rushing off to pack and go on hols.

I have put the second and third matches (Trojans and Fordingbridge) on the photos site: http://www.testvalleyphotos.co.uk/WRFC/NewMilton7sPart2 - looking through the photos I was struck again at the "strength in depth" of the team - everyone supported every move and though we were far from the biggest team on the day we had some very determined and effective runners with great support.

I had to feel sorry for Fordingbridge, though. Even our relatively average boys out-weighed them considerably. Still, that's showbusiness.

I have also put some photos from the Colts match on http://www.testvalleyphotos.co.uk/WRFC/NewMilton7sColts - if anyone knows the Colts coach please forward the link.

Cheers, all.

Martin.

New Milton 7s

Phew - When I got home I realised I had taken over 1,300 photos that Sunday. Maybe a little excessive, still I doubt that it will take me as much effort to sort and post them as the boys spent pounding up and down the sandy pitches.

I'm waiting for Alan to pluck up courage to post on this blog the match and score reports which were relayed to him by his Trusty Scout (with a true instinct for journalism Alan has filed his report fom the comfort of the pub, relying on eye-witness accounts from his "sources").

Anyway, the first wave of photos from the Bournmouth and Ringwood matches is now at www.testvalleyphotos.co.uk/WRFC/NewMilton7sPartI - enjoy them while I work on the other 600 or so...