Lessons Learnt at the PGH Tournament - plus a Trophy

We took 16 players with us to Preston for the Tournament, and following on from the recent game against Blackburn, we gave players specific positions for the day.

Game 1 was against a team that we know lots about, Fylde. From our games earlier in the season, we know what a talented team they are and within 5 mins they'd pulled into a deserved 3-0 lead. Then something new and encouraging happened - the players 'had a word with themselves', collectively picked their game up and took their game to Fylde.
In the forwards we matched Fyldes efforts and strength and provided good ball for the SH & FH to work with. Fylde were fierce and effective in defence, but following a period of good play from the backs we deservedly got across the try line. Fylde came back at us to score another couple of tries and came out on top 5-1.
The players (mostly) stuck to their given positions, but in the end, Fyldes greater self assurance across the team was the decider.

Game 2 was against Warrington and from the off we were up against a very well organised, skilled, fit and strong side. In this game we started to lose our shape, with our forwards appearing in the back line and the backs being sucked into the mauls and rucks. This created quite a few mis matches on the pitch and Warrington came out 4-0 on top.

Game 3 was Wetherby. Again, a disciplined, strong side, with players who knew their role within the team and played as a cohesive unit. We never gave up and the effort that the players put in was laudible, but we paid the price of losing posession in rucks/mauls, not being accurate with our passing and (sometimes) trying to cuddle the Wetherby players, rather than tackle them ! Wetherby came out 4-0 on top.

There is no shame in losing to better teams and the scores on each game were fair.
The players were a bit down and despondant at this stage, which in hindsight was a touch harsh **.

About now, time was getting on a bit and our numbers started to get diminished and we were down to 12 (or was it 12 and a player with a knock ?)

The next stage of the day was entering the 'Bowl' competition and our first opponets were Waterloo Reds. They were a big set of lads and at long (long, long) last we started to do what we'd been doing in training. Winning the ball and getting it to our wings as quickly as we could - whilst hopefully keeping it away from their big lads up front. Our backs were running onto balls, players were trying dummy passes and players were running supporting lines. Confidence was high, the players had smiles on their faces and the faster tempo game was rewarded by some tries. We won the game 3-1.

This qualified us for the Bowl final against Darlington. If the Waterloo Reds were big, these guys were huge ! This game was the best game of the day. Darlington had 12 players in total - the plus side was that they had played together all day as a team, the downside was that they'd all played every minute of every game. Some of our guys had taken knocks and we were briefly down to 10 players. This seemed to spur us on and we produced our best team work of the day. This was rewarded with a try and we finished the half 1-0 up.
Lots more effort from both teams and once we were back to a full 12, it looked like we could hang on for a win. Sadly, it didn't pan out this way and after knocking on the door for a while, Darlington found a way across our tryline for a deserved equaliser.
Both teams had the chance to win the game, but defences held firm and the game ended 1-1.
This was a fair result and a good reflection of the game. Handshakes all round and an agreement to share the Bowl Trophy between Kendal Hornets & Darlington.

A good team effort, that is best desribed as 4 steps forward, 1 step back. & that is a very fair return in anyones book !

Referees and coaches were complimentary about the way the players played the game and the good character that they showed throughout the day. We know what a cracking bunch they are - its nice when others recognise it as well.

Next Sunday sees the entire 12's squad split into 2 to take part in the Buzz The Hornet Festival - their final games as Minis.

Paul

** to put our performance into perspective. Fylde went on to win the PGH Tournament overall. Warrington won the Manchester Tournament, the Stockport Tournament, the Sandal Tournamnet and were finalists in the Lancs Cup & Wetherby won the Scunthorpre Tournament.
Against such strong opposition, the boys done good.