Away Day To Carlisle

The sun shone(ish), the large pitches (cheers Barbara & Peter) were in great condition and we had 19 Hornets raring to go against the 19 players from Carlisle. With us having identical numbers and large pitches, it meant that the 4 equally skilled teams that we picked were going to have a good mornings rugby ahead of them.

I was reffing on Pitch B, so this article relates to what I saw going on around me ( I imagine that Pitch A would be very similar). The games were played as Training Fixtures, with the referee able to coach both sides as the game progresses. This is an excellent system, as it puts the emphasis onto effort, endeavour and skills development, rather than just the final result. From the first whistle the Hornets played a very direct game which initially put Carlisle on the back foot. With committed running in straight lines to the fore, the Hornets built up a handy score count, with Carlisle always keeping in touch. However, as the game progressed, the greater experience and more savvy play from Carlisle meant that Carlisle finished the stronger team and they may have felt a bit unfortunate to have been on the wrong end of a tight score line.

Game 2 was a reverse of Game 1, as this time it was Carlisle that started the stronger. They took advantage of the Hornets hesitancy in the tackle and were a lot stronger in the ruck situations. What was increasingly obvious as the game progressed was that the Carlisle players were quite used to playing together as a team, whereas most of the Hornets didn’t know each other until a few weeks ago. As legs got tired, the pitch seemed to become larger and gaps appeared. This game ended up quite a high scoring affair, with Carlisle deservedly coming out on top.

It was a really good learning experience and gave the coaches some pointers on the things that the players are doing well (team spirit, effort, good sporting attitudes and a willingness to take responsibility for taking the ball forwards, as well as things for us to work on (core skills and the rules of the game). From the pitch that I was on, a mention needs to be made for Special K for playing so well after his recent injury and Dynamo for playing the best that I’ve ever seen him play. & for the rest of the team, hearty congratulations for representing yourselves, your team and Kendal Hornets so well.

Our next fixture is at home to Kirkby Lonsdale on Sunday 3rd Novemeber and it will be a great opportunity to test our developing skills against our closest and more experienced neighbours. & just as importantly, renewing friendships.

Congratulations to Ninja (Toby) for once again being awarded Player Of The Week by your teammates

Paul

p.s. Congratulations to Evan, the Man In Black, for winning Tackling Bulldogs at the end. To unflinchingly take on 3 dozen tacklers took some real guts and determination.