In the spirit of the game Palmyra kindly loaned us several players to make up u14 numbers. In theory we have a full complement of players now but reality bites with injuries and no-shows so extras are welcome. Since Palmyra has a surplus of players the opportunity to give them a run with our Uni boys is worthwhile all around.
Today our boys put in a much-improved showing against Joondalup White going down by three points in a try-by-try extravaganza of scoring - 4 tries plus 1 conversion won over our 3 tries plus 2 conversions - 22-19. The boys demonstrated great heart in solidly working the ruck and getting the ball out to their fast running backs, especially in the second half, along with solid tackling and good support.
Credit to tony for doing all the work managing the team and running the touch line today while I stood quietly by since I am mildly afflicted by a cold and an annoying cough meaning I also skipped refereeing. At training on Thursday night where I deferred to Tony and Dom someone commented that I looked like the ManU manager Sir Alex Ferguson standing on the sidelines in my suit and tie absent chewing on gum!
Friday, May 11, 2007
Friday, May 4, 2007
Round 2
I have tried to avoid talking about the Western Force because there is already a healthy band of professional commentators who do such a great job. As the season wound down to a disappointing loss to the deserving Blues last night at Subiaco Oval I reflect on how much I have enjoyed the rugby being played over this, their second season, and their first season last year.
As a whole, the Super 14 competition has not displayed a great amount of grand, free-flowing rugby - most of what we have seen of that flavour has been from the New Zealand teams compared to the dour brand of rugby in favour with South African and Australian teams. I believe the Force has demonstrated strength as an Australian province and built their own, unique brand of running, driving rugby, albeit with a fair sprinkling of solid defence as demanded by todays game.
Great kudos for RugbyWA for making this happen at the professional level and I may voice my enormous appreciation for how this has flowed on down into community rugby via the likes of Mitch Hardy, Manager of Community Development and Patrick Hannigan, one of the RugbyWA development officers I know from Uni Rugby Club, and others like them. Except for last nights games, the exceptional quality of coaching and technical development has been evident in the quality ball handling of the players. The next generation of players coming through local club will deliver even better skills as a result of these grassroots efforts that help to deliver quality coaching to club players.
Uni u14s had to forfeit yet again because we were short players but the boys hammered the opposition in the scratch match that the good-natured opposition elected to play anyway - good for the boys confidence and show their good skills. We have actually been relegated to the Black (second) division at our request after being promoted on last seasons performance to the Swan (first division) based on form in the second half of the season. Noticably the team is starting to gel as a unit rather than simply playing as individuals - apart from the odd, selfish, winding run across and up field - and the preparation from playing the top two teams in the Swan division over the past two matches prior to this one means the boys are playing a cut above their opposition. Many thanks to Kalamunda Red for sharing their players and being so friendly.
With returns from injury and being away we should have a full team for the first time next week. It would appear that the boys are likely to stay at the top end of the ladder in the lower division instead of remaining in the bottom half of the higher division. Perhaps they will do better next year as u15s when they may be physically and mentally ready to step up again.
I reffed again this week and did a better job this time so I am showing improvement - still got significant and welcome feedback from the referee-coach on where I can improve. My hand signals and whistle blowing need improvement for one thing. I have overcompensated from last week being off the attack line to running back and forth as the ball travels from players hand to hand - when I should be staying in line with the ball until tackle, ruck or maul forms when I should seek out the attack line. Similar for lineouts where I tend to overmanage and place the players (like a coach) rather than give simple instructions to, for example, form up on the 5m line and other players to step back to 10m.
One area I showed good improvement - similar to other beginner refs - was signalling and playing advantage, calling penalties for offside and ruck infringements - none I which I managed to do last week while having narrow focus on the ball. While I played advantage, on more than one occasion I did so when there was no opportunity for the nonoffending team to gain an actual advantage so I should have blown the whistle immediately. Thanks to Jeff for his coaching suggestions on my efforts. I should also mention that Wanneroo Green and Arks both put in a great effort to score four tries a piece and were only separated by two conversions - it does not matter which way!
As a whole, the Super 14 competition has not displayed a great amount of grand, free-flowing rugby - most of what we have seen of that flavour has been from the New Zealand teams compared to the dour brand of rugby in favour with South African and Australian teams. I believe the Force has demonstrated strength as an Australian province and built their own, unique brand of running, driving rugby, albeit with a fair sprinkling of solid defence as demanded by todays game.
Great kudos for RugbyWA for making this happen at the professional level and I may voice my enormous appreciation for how this has flowed on down into community rugby via the likes of Mitch Hardy, Manager of Community Development and Patrick Hannigan, one of the RugbyWA development officers I know from Uni Rugby Club, and others like them. Except for last nights games, the exceptional quality of coaching and technical development has been evident in the quality ball handling of the players. The next generation of players coming through local club will deliver even better skills as a result of these grassroots efforts that help to deliver quality coaching to club players.
Uni u14s had to forfeit yet again because we were short players but the boys hammered the opposition in the scratch match that the good-natured opposition elected to play anyway - good for the boys confidence and show their good skills. We have actually been relegated to the Black (second) division at our request after being promoted on last seasons performance to the Swan (first division) based on form in the second half of the season. Noticably the team is starting to gel as a unit rather than simply playing as individuals - apart from the odd, selfish, winding run across and up field - and the preparation from playing the top two teams in the Swan division over the past two matches prior to this one means the boys are playing a cut above their opposition. Many thanks to Kalamunda Red for sharing their players and being so friendly.
With returns from injury and being away we should have a full team for the first time next week. It would appear that the boys are likely to stay at the top end of the ladder in the lower division instead of remaining in the bottom half of the higher division. Perhaps they will do better next year as u15s when they may be physically and mentally ready to step up again.
I reffed again this week and did a better job this time so I am showing improvement - still got significant and welcome feedback from the referee-coach on where I can improve. My hand signals and whistle blowing need improvement for one thing. I have overcompensated from last week being off the attack line to running back and forth as the ball travels from players hand to hand - when I should be staying in line with the ball until tackle, ruck or maul forms when I should seek out the attack line. Similar for lineouts where I tend to overmanage and place the players (like a coach) rather than give simple instructions to, for example, form up on the 5m line and other players to step back to 10m.
One area I showed good improvement - similar to other beginner refs - was signalling and playing advantage, calling penalties for offside and ruck infringements - none I which I managed to do last week while having narrow focus on the ball. While I played advantage, on more than one occasion I did so when there was no opportunity for the nonoffending team to gain an actual advantage so I should have blown the whistle immediately. Thanks to Jeff for his coaching suggestions on my efforts. I should also mention that Wanneroo Green and Arks both put in a great effort to score four tries a piece and were only separated by two conversions - it does not matter which way!
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