Coaches Match Report 13/11/11 (Home to Middlesbrough)
Thanks to everyone who turned up for the games against Middlesbrough on Sunday. It was great to see so many players turn out for the U11s, meaning we were able to field two teams.
In the first game we fielded a very experienced Durham side with a view to getting our own back on a Middlesbrough team who edged us out of the County 7s the week before. We certainly did what we set out to achieve by beating them by 3 trys to 0. It was also pleasing to see that we converted every try. Our teamwork was great and communication on the pitch is getting better every week. Despite some wet conditions our ball handling was good and defence, particularly in the second half was outstanding, especially when Middlesbrough really turned it on when they knew they were in for a beating.
In the second game we took the opportunity to make sure all our players got a game. We put out a side which contained a number of boys playing their first game of competitive rugby, supported by 1 or 2 of our seasoned pros to help steady the ship and what a performance they put in. Middlesbrough decided to put out their strongest team having taken a pasting in the first game and we matched them very well in the first half conceding only a single try. We battled well in the second half but Middlesbroughâs experience told and we conceded a further two tries. This was an excellent performance against one of the best sides around and everyone involved should be really proud of themselves.