ANNAN U14 GIRLS AT PENRITH

MATCH REPORT FROM COACH BILLY HENDERSON

On Sunday 25th September the U14 Hornets crossed the border to face old friends Penrith.

First game started off with a right ding dong. Pace and determination by both teams. Back and forth, up and down the pitch for 6-7 minutes before Megan scored for us.

Myself and the Penrith Coach were on the same touchline and we did enjoy watching a proper game of rugby.

Second game was much similar and 3rd game we probably let ourselves down a bit. A bit more fitness required and giving Penrith too much space. 

No complaints from today. Good effort by everyone. We kept getting beat in every session but no-one gave up. We kept plugging away. Penrith’s squad in general looked older than ours. We had a 11 & 12 year old on the pitch

Our job as coaches is to educate the team better in game positioning and techniques so as to make the game easier for the girls.  A defeat but we are still progressing. 

My notes from the the day:

• Good Power from Megan;
• Great tackle Emily;
• Hard Work by Shaenah;
• Maddy through to the line but lack of support;
• First 10 mins excellent;
• Rough tough game today;
• Poppy and Eva big shift in 2nd row;
• Penrith a strong older team;
• Not using many of our moves;
• Good harassing by Shaenah;
• Penrith not giving us much space;
• Annan giving too much space;
• Thumping tackle by Anna – she will need a radox bath tonight;
• In the 3rd game, great determination and drive by Maddy;
• We must play to the whistle and not stop when we “think” a foul pass has been committed.

In our 3rd game we also had a perfect kick off. Big high kick by Josie, landing right on the 10 yard line. Pick up by Anna, pass to Megan who powered on. Pass to Shaenah to force herself over for a great score,

Scorers on the day were: Shaenah 3, Maddy 1 and Megan 2

A little bit of niggle appeared in the game from time to time. I am meant to condemn it and I will, but if you play with a bit of heart and determination and a bit of anger in you, it can get your blood pumping / boiling a bit which in my mind is excellent. 

But lets not get sidetracked by peripheral things. The best way to get one-upmanship is to outperform the opposition.

Excellent day of rugby by Annan Hornets, learn from this and take on board what we coach you.

Thanks to Penrith for great hospitality as usual.

Coach Billy

The U14 Hornets squad