Cumbria Tour 2017

What a week end!! Perfect weather to play rugby and plenty grass on the pitch. Over the two days we played six matches: two against Doncaster Blue, Doncaster Red and Malton & Norton. First day was the hardest as we had to adapt to the new rules, type of game and the physical intensity. We lost our three matches quite comprehensively. We did not play badly but the main difference was that the other teams targeted the ball / ripped off the ball from our hands thus preventing offloading in the contact and we struggled to stop their ball carrier, usually the biggest running at full speed straight line. Second day we were much more competitive in all areas of the games. We started to target the ball / rip off the ball from the other team and our defence was faster to close the space and our chase after kick off was also much faster thus giving less time to the opposing team to run at us. Best example was when Chrissie Sandison ran straight at the Doncaster no 13 (probably 3xtimes his size) causing major disruption to their attacking run.

For me the best moments of the games was when playing against Doncaster Blue (first day) Dylan Jakeman was made Captain and from his own initiative rallied the troops around him and gave the talk to the players, great leadership - well done. Then just before starting the last match, Malton & Norton were doing their 1,2,3 squeeze on their try line while Ellon players were waiting, spread out on the centre line facing them ready for business and we made them work really hard for their win. We scored some very good individual and team tries. Angus Caven starting from our 5 metre line and using speed and evasion skill went through all the defence to score. Some very well constructed tries with offload and pass before contact between Hamish Craig, Sebastian Orus and Angus Caven. Also a try all in power by Tyler Martin; 5 metres from the try line against 4 or 5 players, 2 or 3 attempts but he managed – touch down!!

Personally I am very pleased with the players’ attitude and determination during these two days. The players have had to adapt to new rules, a different type of game - more physical/direct but they stayed focused, worked very hard to rise to the challenge and did not get frustrated by the referees’ decisions. It took a bit of time to adapt to the new rules and type of game but they did very well and I am sure if we’d had a third day of tour we would have won a game!!! Only down side is the injury of Dylan Jakeman, wishing him a prompt recovery.

Fantastic weekend of rugby, you should be all proud of your performance, full of plenty of character.