Scraped Through

The end of the school holidays played havoc with player availability and player positioning. We ended up playing 13 a side with at least four players out of their regular positions. The added rustiness of coming back from the holidays didn't add to the performance.

The team struggled to make an impression on the game in attack and in defence letting soft Deeside try's through. It was the story that flowed through the first half with the team just edging it going in at half time 14-17 to the good.

The re-group at half time focusing on controlling the game and playing on the front foot paid dividends. This yielded better continuity and a more expansive game. The teams handling skills came into play more with better decisions made in contact and less lost balls providing more successful offloads.

Deeside stayed in the game right to the end utilising their four substitute's to good effect, one strong runner making a significant impact. Once the team upped their intensity in defence they started to take full control of the game ending up coming out winners with a final score 33-48.

Big mention to Noah initially for coming to support the team when he was ill, and then putting his cold to one side and coming on for the team.

Although the team ground out what was in the end a deserved win the mood was damped due to an injury to Anibal. He needed treatment on the sideline for a neck injury which was deemed serious enough to call for an ambulance. The review at A&E found nothing severe but did identify significant bruising and muscle strain. He is on the road to recover and counting down the days until he is allowed back on the training pitch.

Special mention to Jade and Matt for providing their professional medical assistance until the ambulance arrived.