There was an excellent turnout from both Ivel and N. Dorset, with enough subs to rest tired legs during the two fast paced games.

The first game was, to say the least, a wake up call for the Ivel team; a shaky start requiring more focus and teamwork. The opposition were faster off the mark and showed more technical ability from the off.  Score: North Dorset 9, Ivel 1.

The second game was fraught at the start, but improved by each minute.  Ivel’s attack were more tenacious and the defence was more solid, well done team.  The most noticeable improvement is that Ivel started working better as a team. Score: Ivel 5, North Dorset 4.

Special mentions – players?

The overall atmosphere was excellent and North Dorset enjoyed their visit, notably the extra space playing space. Both teams are to be congratulated for kicking off this season’s matches with two enjoyable games.

All in all, a great performance by the U8 team. I would like to thank the parents who assisted the coach on the day and for everyone who made the effort to get to Midsomer.

It was a fast paced tournament with very little time to rest, one game after another. The unfortunate problem was that we only had a team of seven players, so the upshot was we had no reserves. Even so the team put on a strong game and dug in to only concede by one point in five of the six games. Strong in defence and strong in attack it was a proud moment to see them get their deserved win in the game with Melksham. Ivels 6 to Melksham 3. This did the Ivels confidence a real boost.

Well I firstly must thank all the parents for a good turn out at the tournament; well done a team of ten players was a very positive start to the day.

The first of the games was for me a little one sided and yes it was Sherbourne, but unfortunately ran circles round our defence to win convincingly. The lack of defence structure within the Ivel team was quite apparent. Score Sherbourne 8-2

The second game was a little better with some good runs and tries but defence was shaken again. On a positive note some players that did not keep both hands on the ball had learned to keep both hands on the ball, well done you know who they are.

Third game was a big improvement than the last, with good attack and defence with a lot more teamwork from all players, good passing and a lot more effort from all involved. Unfortunately pipped at the post by Trowbridge at the end.

The final game Weymouth, a stunning performance, close in all aspects of the game, great passing, lots and lots of spatial awareness. A tight defence with some very good tries. Could not fault the players in anyway what so ever, to give a final score of 6-6 well done. Man of the match for me was Edward Broom who was the only player to run forwards well done to you sir. Score 6-6

One thing I would like to add on a team level is that the results could have been a lot better if as a team we could have a lot more discipline, on and off the field. The team really needs to focus on the game of rugby and all that can be done to improve the players. With the parents help in training and at matches we will be running a sin bin governed by the parents. So if “Billy” likes to mess around and not listen or is being disruptive, as parents watching the training/ match, you would know why “Billy” has been sent to it and could explain to them why they are there. When you feel it is time, send them back to the team. It has come at a time that as a coach, I would like to dedicate my time to teaching rugby and not trying to keep order of the team.

Well done again parents, a very good turn out for the team. 9 players out of a potential 10. Good on you all.

The first game was off to a good start, but then the team had to really dig in to defend against the Castle Cary side.   It was definitely a running game, with a fast pace first half. At the half time whistle, the team came back tired but looked focused and with the determination to win.

The second half took the team to the very top of their ability and dug in deep to have some very good runs for George, Daniel, Harry and Chandler. A great performance by the whole team, good defending and for moving the ball around. First score 4-3 to the Ivels. One great game of rugby boys well done.

The next game was with Chard v Castle Cary, which for the first time the U8 team sat and watched them play their game. They saw just how good Chards defending was. The Ivels looked further to see, which way we could get the ball through their defences. The plan was to get the ball straight through their defence running and passing as fast as we could. There attack was just as good as ours. A pretty even game was the view of the team.

Next up Ivels v Chard
From the start, Ivels where in defence and conceded the first try to Chard. In response Ivel followed up with a good run from George backed up with enough support to get the first try for the Ivels. Chard came through with another try to bring the score to 2-1 to chard. Next was a good run from Harry and was shoved off the pitch by Chard near the try line. Ball was given to Ivels who then scored a try.2-2.
Next came good run by Chard and was blocked by the Ivels defence. Ball turned over to Ivels and another try. Chard came through again to score, now bringing the score to three all.  The next was a real treat. The ref getting wise to the one step rule when a player gets to the try line, he was not blowing the whistle when the ball was put down, because the player had taken more than one step. This had occurred to Harry and the ref said, “I haven’t blown the whistle”, Daniel immediately shouted, “Pass” and scored the try. Score 4-3. Chards runners got through with another to equalise four all. Next Ivel got another try and so did Chard, to bring the final score 5-5.

Man of the match for me has got to be George, for his evasive running.

The Under 8 team impressed me this time. They were focused and a credit to the game of rugby. I think now that they have a hunger to play the game and feel confident that they can win, this is now coming through. With a gruelling start to the season with tournament after tournament, it has a positive affect on getting the team to gel and only now is it starting to pay off. Hang in there boys and keep your heads, there is still lots more work to do. Well done to all of you.

Thanks to all parents for a good turn out of players, plenty again to roll on players as they get tired.

The first match went not too well as we found that the Ivel team was not gelling. Sad to say as they were arguing amongst themselves and fighting for that No 2 position. As the game progressed, there was some good tries from some good runs but hardly any support from the team as a whole. Defence was a little weaker than of late and allowed Frome to break through our defence and win the first half. All pretty negative at this stage.

Second half. Simon and I had a team talk, and explained to the whole team that you need to work as a team, support your team and most importantly, respect your team. The second half of the game was quite a turn around. What a completely different team. The support in defence and attack was most impressive. The defence especially was the biggest part for me. Stopping Frome dead in their tracks, turning the ball over and scoring a try. Another thing that I saw for the first time was taking advantage of a dead ball (when the ball is on the ground). Not once but twice I saw the ball being picked up by Ivel covering large distances across the pitch. Good on you all. The best bit of play I have seen to date (I thought), unfortunately the time ran out for Ivel to bring a score of 12-5 to Frome, the damage unfortunately was done in the first half and could not be regained.

The second game, the second game was exactly like the first game second half. There was no doubt at all that the boys went out there to win. The positivity that went out there and the teamwork all paid off. I hoped at this stage of the game that they where going to win, they very much deserved to. Another break for Ivel and another try, pulled back again by Frome, what a close game. Now it was a test of nerves. Another try and another try to Frome, and another to Ivel, and then the whistle. In all the confusion, I lost track of the score and did not know what the score was till the end. Frome 4 and Ivels 5.

Summary, I would just like to point out that this Match Report did sound all very negative at the start and quite rightly so. The thing is team, you all have the skills to play rugby, and yes some might be better at some things than others, BUT when you all work as a team, you ALL work very, very well as one whole team, and that is how you can get results in your matches. I would like to also say that what I saw out there today I would not mind repeating again and again, you were all amazing to watch let alone be apart of, well done.

Man of the match for me Harry, for gaining distance and passing the ball, well done.
Our thanks to Frome for giving us a very good game, can not wait for the next game with them.

Well the morning started a little poorly as I viewed the number of players attending, but nothing would stop the show from running its course.

Slowly but surely the numbers rose and things where looking up. Thanks again to those that attended.
The game got off to a good start with some quite big runs from both sides. The passing was fluent and quite accurate at times and then sometimes a little inaccurate as well.  The main concern for me was still a problem with defence. The attack was very good but the inaccuracy of some passing turned the ball over to Tor.  Once they got hold of the ball, they seemed to glide through our defence with somewhat ease.
Great running from Daniel and Mr Boom, Boom shake the room Broom, for forward running, and not forgetting Edward Earl for his long distance runs as well. Defence has to go to Twinkle toes Dawson, whose trade mark pirouettes stunned the opposition with his agility.   The score for the first game to me was a little close in my mind but was given 6-8 Tor.

The second game was much the same as the first but a few bumps and scrapes on the way, with Dawson colliding with Tor’s biggest player and Daniel on the ground at the same time.

A very tough game and a much tiered team, but I can honestly say they gave it their all, well done. Top scorer had to be Daniel on the day with some very good tries from Eliott thanks to you sir.

As I have said before, the score did not reflect the game, in my mind I thought like everyone else that it was a draw but we were obviously all wrong.

Man of the match for me is Daniel, for not only his many tries but his support of the players with the ball, well done to you sir.

Our thanks to Tor RFC for putting on a good game and look forward to meeting again.

Summary
The going forwards part of the game has improved a lot but we need to now concentrate all our efforts into improving our defence. We need now to look at our formation of our defensive line and work out how to block the path of our opposition. We need to work on regrouping and getting back and forming a defensive wave that is tight and be able to slow down the momentum of the opposition. We are racking our brains and will devise a plan in due course and work on this at after warm up this weekend, hope to see you all there; it will be 10 aside so a full team will be required for this event. Well done again

The day started a bit shaky with only six players, and the first game went off very well only losing by a couple of points. The team worked very well together and the defence worked very well utilising the training from the Saturday. I seem to recall that the points were even at the half way mark and towards the end we then started letting the opposition through. I could not complain at the enthusiasm of the team and the realisation that although we lost the first game, we could go on to do better later on.

The second game was almost a repeat of the first but was ready for the next couple of games, good running from Luke, Daniel and Edward.

The third game was improved by the arrival of Harry, which now with a full team and the numbers now even I think the team had a realistic chance of doing better. The play started and the team was in the points for the first time, with a huge run from Luke and then a try. At the half time whistle, we were in front by two points and looking for our first win. Havant came back to draw and we scored. This was repeated over and over to bring a score of six all at the end. I could not fault the team at all with some great defending and great team work amongst the team.

The fourth and last was a huge effort with Luke shining like a star in this game, the attitude hair style paid dividends as he flew in this game. Great forward runs from Boom, Boom shake the room Broom, this was the best game of the
Tournament as the high scoring game was brought to a close at 9-9. I saw the team right to the last, dig in and play everything they had. Well done to you all.

Season so far.
Summary
Although we hadn’t done as well as we had hoped, you all played the best that you all could have done. As the coach of the under 8’s the year has not on the score board been the highest of the season. But the improvement I have seen over the year has been one of the most improved from the start of the season to end. The team has bonded and gelled and now work together as one. The messing around has stopped and the discipline has come through. The nines of next year are now ready and I am proud to be a part of that, thank you all and good luck for next year. One more game to go Chard away, so let’s have a good game there.

Our thanks to Bournemouth for putting on a very well run tournament and look forward to returning next year. Man of the match for me has to go to Luke, for his constant running and try scoring well done to you sir.

I could not believe the turn out at Chard, well done to nearly a complete team, well done to all the parents that brought the players on the day.

I was surprised on the day to find Chard struggling to find players for there U8’s team. This aside they played nearly a full under seven and eight side.

This should have given us the upper hand on the day. Well as hard as we attacked they came back. With a strong defence came a strong attack. The first half could have been won if we had not made some silly mistakes. Four times we turned the ball over at the try line, to Chards advantage going all the way to the line. With this in mind we should really not panic and keep focused on what the ref is saying. Tag five is your last chance to pass and if you are on the try line, pass it safely to a player standing next to you and put the ball down on the line.

The second half was much better but lack of focus and spark at the end left us struggling to catch up on points. On a positive note some very good runs for Harry, Luke, Daniel, Archie and the Edwards, and a much better defence and attack. It was a shame that we could not go out on a high note but as I said when I spoke to the team before, they are all ready tor the under nines and can’t wait for next season. They can all work very well as a team and when they do, they are unstoppable. Scores Chard 7 Ivels 4

Man of the match for me will have to go to Archie for some very good defending, well done to you sir.
The second game really a bit of fun was to unite the sevens and eights together and it went off really well, with some bursts of explosive running from Wallis and all of the U8’s runners with great defending from all who played.
Our thanks to Chard RFC for a good match and look forward to meeting next year.

Summary
The only thing I could see on the game today is spark and sharpness. I have seen in a couple of games now in the quick decision making (like when to pass and to who, is taking too long). We are still also hesitating when the ball is on the ground. This is not a criticism, far from it but I have noticed that the teams that we have played have looked a little sharper off the mark. This is something that can be worked on next time, and also something we could all do with before you even get to a game and that is PMA, Positive Mental Attitude. We can do this, think positive and almost know we can win. We will discuss this next Saturday at the last game of the year at home. Numbers will be appreciated this is a Saturday game. Hope to see you all there. Again well done at chard to all