A much improved performance. Once we started playing we kept the pressure on throughout the game. Although they were not the quality of opposition that the Saints are, you did not lose your composure and scored some excellent tries.
Saturday Aug 14, 2004
Calgary Rugby Union
3:30pm
Stinking Hot First Half…cloud and tailwind Second Half
Score: Saracens 65 Norwesters 5
Team: Reitbauer, Malin, Wilson, Perron, Bailey, Kuzek, Boutwell, Robertson, Duffy, Betcher, Benson, Laberge, Kofman, Ferguson, Duffy, Wilson, Rattai, Anderson, Schaefer, Beck, Judge
Overall: A much improved performance. Once we started playing we kept the pressure on throughout the game. Although they were not the quality of opposition that the Saints are, you did not lose your composure and scored some excellent tries
We won…more importantly we kept playing throughout the game and had some of out best passages of play at the end. They did push us in the scrums on occasion but we consistently recovered on the next set and established a good platform.
We let them score a try which I don’t think they had to have. It becomes a source of pride when your defense is working well to not let the other team cross your line. We went off pattern and kicked away too much ball early on. Kicking is a very tiring way to play the game and when you can control the ball through keeping it in had and working together it is much more effective.
The biggest thing we can to do improve is to be able to take that performance where you played well for the majority of the game and carry it into next week. It is going to be an extremely tough game and we need to come ready to play. You can think of it as a semi-final really as it is a must win and we only have 2 games left.
Reitbauer and Wilson: Provided the stability we needed and did some good work in the loose on a very hot day. We will need more than 60 minutes out of you next week so make sure you rest up and come ready.
Malin: Excellent work in the loose and made a big impact throughout the game.
Perron: A much better performance than last week. You made yourself stand out in the loose and handled the lineouts very well.
Bailey: Did a good job stepping into the second row and had a number of effective runs. You took the ball up well on the Kick offs which was great to see.
Kuzek: I thought you handled their #8 well after you figured him out. Good work around the field.
Robertson: Had one of your best games of the year. You were effective in attack and defense. Well done. We will need that type of game and a bit more on Sat.
Boutwell: Very solid game all round. Probably didn’t get your hands on the ball quite as much as usual but you played well in attack and defense.
Duffy: Distributed the ball well and made some excellent covering tackles on Defense.
Betcher: Stepped into 10 very well and kept the ball moving. Your kicking out of hand was good but I don’t think we will be able to afford to leave12 points on board next week…no pressure! Some excellent defense but be careful with the late hits when the player is kicking the ball out of hand.
Benson: One of those games where the ball just wasn’t coming. Went looking for the ball on occasion which was good to see and helped secure second phase possession more than once.
Laberge: Some excellent runs with the ball in hand and we were unlucky not to convert more of them. Spoiled the ball well on defense.
Kofman: Some trademark moves to score and make o couple of breaks. I don’t know what happened on that one pass that went to ground (left hand side about the 30m line) but it was UGLY. Some excellent kicks to relieve pressure and get us out of our end. Good game.
Ferguson: Out of position on some occasions but overall a good game. Your tries were excellent As with Todd, a half where the ball didn’t really make it to the wings. You had some good work in the loose and played your game. Enjoy your holidays.
Duffy: Controlled the back very well. Unlucky to get dragged down on a couple of occasions but on others you continue to make their job easy on them by running straight into them. Try to not kick the ball away for the sake of kicking it. Have confidence in your ability to couter and run with the ball in hand.
Wilson: Very timely substitution! You took your chances well and made a good impact when you came into the game.
Butch: Stepped in well and provided good distribution to keep the ball in play. A very steady game all round.
Anderson: Stepped in well and provided some good balls to the outside backs. Much better performance from you than the week before.
Schaefer: Not the start you wanted when you came into the game but you got settled in and had a good 20 minutes. Well done
Beck and Judge. You guys have been working hard and it is good to see the internal competition. Set pieces were 75% I would say as we let them get into us on occasion. When the second rows provided you with a good hit, and you went in with good form we were successful.
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