Stillorgan RFC 3 - DLSP 9
J3 League - Dec `17, 2006
This is a match we really let slip as there was nothing between the teams in what was a very scrappy game played in Ideal conditions. We had a huge squad out there thanks to everyone who showed sorry not everyone who get on. It was our first game in 6 weeks and it showed. We showed great heart and our defence again was excellent we have not conceeded a try yet in the League.
Our problem is we do look like scoring a try either!!!!!!!!! It was 6-3 at halftime Mark got a penalty and they got 2. He had one penalty that looked good but the DLSP touchjudge did not give it. Second half we had 3 penalties that dropped about a foot short and they got another penalty.
We said before the match that this game was going to be won with the top 2inches and most of us seemed to Leave that in the dressing room. We gave away 18 penalties everytime we got into their half we let them out easily by pure stupidness being offside, going over the TOP- LADS WE HAVE NOT CONCEEDED A TRY YET WHY DO WE GIVE AWAY THESE PENALTIES- TRUST YOUR DEFENCE.
a.. Our decision making was very poor again some strange lineout calls when all we needed to do was secure ball to clear our lines. They stopped trying to run through us and started to kick it over our heads and unfortunately a few balls were dropped.
b.. Players seem to seek contact - The ball will always beat the man overlaps not taken because players running straight into first defender not even looking to pass!!
c.. When we are matched up front we still do not give ball to backs - this game along with Monkstown- back 3 have only got one pass how are we going to score tries playing like this??? We did not get a chance to test their backline once - carlos makes a break with first ball he gets does not get ball for next 20 mins.
We need to reassess how we are playing the game - Rugby is a simple game lets keep it that way. Lets concentrate on just getting the simple things right our setpieces lineouts and scrums. Let the forwards be forwards and backs be backs- we do not want to get like England with forwards getting in the way of the Backs it just clogs up the midfield. Rugby is a 15 man game so lets get all 15 players involved using the whole pitch we play far too narrow at times and simply do not threaten the try line.
Match report by Michael Kirwan