rugby values

Old Brentwoods U12s v Witham U12s

The OBs U12s that made their way down the A12 for a fixture with their good friends from Witham included; Josh, Frazer, Harry, John, William, Nathan, Jack, Sam, Jayden, James F, and James M.

The final score was 13 - 1 to OBs. Again, the team played as a cohesive unit, and the try scorers benefited from the endeavour of their team mates, whether from strong tackling, well timed passing or physicality at the breakdown. Everyone deserved to be on the score sheet. In reality they were all scorers, by virtue of the massive contribution each and every one of them made in securing possession, thereby enabling their team mates to cross the line. For that reason, this report is concerned with comment on the team as a collective of individual talent, rather than individuals in isolation.

Witham, for their part fought hard, and did manage an early score of their own. They also managed to steal several scrums against the head, but such was the ferocity of OBs tackling, they struggled to break the gain line, and never really threatened OBs try line for the rest of the match. The fact that The U12s were missing some big players (literally in Ross’s case), didn’t detract from the strengths that they display every time they take to the field. They ALL tackle, they are always strong at the breakdown, and they are lethal finishers when the try line beckons. They seem to be really enjoying their rugby at the moment, and they also seem to enjoy each other’s company, on and off the field. They are quick to encourage each other, and readily congratulate their team mates when they recognise outstanding play.

In order to provide some balance to the platitudes that are granted to them by all and sundry, they still need to move the ball through the hands more often, and crucially, earlier than they currently do.

Nevertheless, there is no doubt that this team has developed enormously over the past couple of seasons, and continues to develop with each game they play. They are becoming a side that opposition teams measure themselves against, and want to beat. There will be some tough challenges ahead, and at some stage, they will run into a team with similar levels of power, pace, and vision. Whatever the future holds, we can be sure that this side will always play hard but fair, with respect for the opposition, and with regard to those rugby values that have been instilled into them under Jason’s tenure.