Fixture

With the head coach off on a jolly the team were under new management, and he showed improved time management skills to ensure that the Chepstow bandwagon rolled into Southmead for their 6^th game of the season nice and early. Although it was slightly slippery under foot, the conditions were perfect for our attacking game.

Before the game we lost Roman to illness but still had a great squad of players, which was fortunate as Southmead were short of numbers. Our boys really epitomised the ‘game time’ philosophy we have adopted and all offered to play for the other side if required. Dan Williams, Dan Pocock and Kieran started for the opposition and ensured that we had a contest for the large crowd made up of a significant amount of travelling supporters.

Rob, supported by Mark took the warm up putting them through their paces before we did some ball handling (which we will work on in training tonight) and then some game play. Concerns during the game play regarding numbers at the ruck, unfortunately spilled over into the game with several rucks turned over in the first 15 minutes when we threatened to score a number of tries.  I sensed an element of complacency due to the limited numbers Southmead had and this was demonstrated in facets of our play.

Chepstow did however get quickly into their stride with some barnstorming running from Nathan, with Joe Clough, Will Supple and Joe Beard closely in support, the latter just returning from injury and had an excellent game both in defence and attack. Travis was having to dig the ball out a lot which was enabling the defence to re-align and some last ditch tackling on the outstanding Sam Jenkins, Nathan and Taylor prevented us from scoring. 15 minutes in we were monopolising possession with Briden taking several excellent strikes against the head which enabled Sam to finally get over the whitewash, Ben missed the conversion making it 5 – 0.

Southmead soon struck back though, with Chepstow being unable to clear their lines in defence (something we will work on) they allowed the opposition to score under the posts and convert the kick to take an unexpected 7-5 lead. This was probably a good thing as it shook our boys up a little and they were all pumped up ready for the kick off with an excellent kick chase. Chepstow dominated possession and would have scored 3 or 4 tries before half time, but due to a bit of white line fever, the decision making wasn’t quite right. Just before half time Nathan took the ball close in and I don’t think there was a person there (including the parents) that could have stopped him. The 10 yard burst did mean that he had to come off for a rest though!

HT – Southmead 7 – Chepstow 12.

After a good half for the opposition the 3 boys swapped over to have some game time for Chepstow, with Rhys Swain, Freddy, James Brasher, Luke, Joe Clough, Callum and Ieuan all offering their support for Southmead which is excellent to see.

After some strong words at half time, including Rob pointing out that the opposition were tiring badly, our boys fitness really showed and they started to rip the opposition apart playing some of the best rugby we have seen with the Backrow of Taylor, Nathan, Joe Beard and Rhys linking with the exceptional Ben Hope-Bell, our backs started to gain more and more yards and with 2 quick sniping tries from Briden we went into a 22 – 7 lead with both tricky conversions missed. Instructions were sent on to Briden that he was not to score more of these tries from pick and goes and although he was tempted at many occasions he did listen!

The structure was starting to come with Will Morgan providing us with a target from a move they’ve only practised once, and Josh, Kieran, James, Sam and Ieuan all showing real pace down the flanks with only some superb cover defence stopping us from scoring more tries. Rhys Adman’s had his strongest game for a long time with some penetrating runs from the wing until he was unfortunately caught in an extremely awkward position at the bottom of the ruck, fortunately it didn’t look like anything too serious so hopefully he’ll be back playing soon.

Edwin replaced Travis for a 10 minute cameo and was getting better ball from our forwards now thanks largely to Will Supple, Briden, both Dan’s, Luke, Freddy and Rhys, allowing our back row to continue to link well with our backs, and they scored a superb try with some really good handling to put Sam Jenkins over which Ben converted making it 29 – 7.

The Southmead kicker continued to pick out Nathan from every kick off! And each time it was taking 4 or 5 to get him down, with quick Ball produced and Travis being back from his well earnt rest our backs were really firing, cutting the opposition apart at every opportunity. Sam, Kieran and Josh were causing havoc down the right flank and we scored 3 more tries through Nathan, Sam and Josh with Ben converting 2 of the 3 to win the game 48 – 12 (according to Mr Pocock, as none of the report would have been made possible without him actually tracking it!)

Man of the Match – Sam Jenkins

Things to be pleased about:

• Ball handling
• Ben Hope-bell at 10 took the ball to the line and his decision making and distribution was excellent.
• Fitness
• Physicality as we won most of the collisions
• Kept our shape for large parts of the game

Things to work on:

• Committing enough numbers to the ruck at the right body angles.
• Ball presentation for the scrum half
• Decision making, ensuring we put players into space rather than all trying to score.
• The scrum

Please can people offer their services with the washing of the kit as some people have done it a couple of times already this season…..

Well done everyone, on we go………..