| Penryn 5 Clevedon 8
So 2006 is upon us and what better way to start, the last few weeks have been really good with a real family spirit starting to come through again amongst the first team squad, there seems to be a more relaxed attitude floating around and our last four sessions or so have been well attended and we have managed to get a lot done, not always as much as we would like but it depends on what positions are about. Our season has been a frustrating one so far for many of us, playing as we did at Spartans the week after such a good team performance against Reading was a prime example, however it's gone and we have moved on, progression not regression so important for the club and the team I think, something else our captain keeps saying. In a good week leading up to the Penryn trip and after a Yatton game, which we learnt what we needed to about certain positions, things felt good, yes we are struggling with injuries, but someone always steps up to the mark to do something special.
We had done some quality work at the Hand, such a valuable place for us to go and spend sometimes 2 and a bit hours! and the Thursday night session was very good and with 21 people there, it makes a difference.
Our line out work and mauling would be vital at the weekend. We also have to change a few things around as we are now on the reverse stretch and the better sides and coaches will know what we like to be able to do. Also, we have some new players or others in new positions. We all left on Thursday knowing where we were. Yes, the backs got away twenty minutes before the forwards, or at least that's what they said ? It's been really good to see Vern come back and the introduction of Piers Hopkins has been a real bonus for us, these two are so destructive defensively and carry the ball so well, especially Piers. They have really fitted in well, no baggage, no agenda, just want to play rugby, just what we needed.
So our trip to Penryn was on us, remarkably 99.9% all on time. We were on our way, it was a good trip down, we felt right and the pre match was excellent. Listeners and Doers all ready to go and do what they knew they could do, WIN at Penryn, it would be hard but it was on. It was interesting, although we didn't have everyone available we wanted, it was a strong 18 and a completely fit 18 all wanting to be part of it. The game kicked off and after the first line out we changed a couple of things, from then on we were magnificent, getting things right in the right places. Yes we missed an important tackle for them to score a try, but we know how it happened and it didn't happen again. Better information is the key and looking at your opposite number, we tried things, some worked some didn't, Hopkins and Bridle were awesome in defence, the Penryn Skipper who is not adverse to putting it about, or should I say playing with commitment, will not forget the day he ran into Messrs Bridle and Hopkins, ending up a couple of metres behind his point of impact, there was a gasp from the loyal Boro fans behind the bench, the tacklers shook themselves off, while our friend remained stationary for a while now minus the ball !
We played some good stuff, our defence was right generally close in and we had a positive attitude, a passion to win, our objective at half time," if they change things we adapt" was spot on, we would not let them score, we worked hard as a team, a whole group mentality, our scrumhalf did what he does best and that's "play rugby" he was tireless, sadly after the game he was as well !
In games like this sometimes certain people shine in different areas and today Hopkins was a giant in the line outs defensively and around the field in defence, Thie was quality at full back and showed for me how much he has improved as an all-round player this season, his running skills and agility have come on leaps and bounds, his attitude gets better and better. So it was we defended and dogged it out to the last, they threw all bar the kitchen sink at us. We had won at Penryn, it meant a lot to us, a tremendous performance to start the New Year - a superb team performance, another building block.
It was sad to see a number of the Penryn players in tears as they left the field, that was the importance of this game. The trip home, well, the quiz was easy according to Mr Stone and TOR, the spirit was great and didn't taste to bad either, there was no nonsense, the banter related to the wrong boots, who's tackle was it in the centre, the 9's lightning pace to charge down, Piers apparent tummy upset in the club after the game. The skipper was on form and apparently taking a fancy to Tom Excell in his new pink boob tube worn admirably all the way home and in no time, we were back in Clevedon and back to reality, another week begins with ten League games to go. Keep it up boys you were magnificent today and thank you to the supporters who came along way, come on Clevedon.
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