In recent weeks i have been trying to develop the boys into passing before they are tagged, committing the tackler but keeping the player in the game as retrieving tags takes so much time. This is moving towards next year when we will be in contact and trying to get the boys thinking about creating space for their team mates.

So North Petherton (NP) would be the first opponents to be on the end of this new attacking force!

Ivel won the toss and decided to attack. Confusion seemed to reign as players passed the ball like a hot potato moving
backwards, attempting to stay untagged, and then horror of horrors panic leading to a forward pass! it would appear that the basics of always moving forward had deserted Ivel. NP were keen and very aggressive in their defence leading to some uncharacteristic Ivel errors.

A very tense and flowing game soon took shape however, with some great attacking runs from Murray, Ethan and Freddy and some excellent tagging by Rory Owen and Simeon. In all attacks there was excellent support with Rory always the first and this meant he picked up three tries with the first match ending 4-3 to the visitors.

 A quick drink break and into the second game.

A committed NP side brought the game straight to Ivel and some poor tagging let the visitors charge off into a 3-0 lead at half time. A stern talking to followed - this Ivel team have the game in their hands and are hard to beat when they play as well as they can as a team.

The second half was much better with Freddy and Billy shouting the loudest to get their colleagues organised in defence, this is key spreading out to ensure we leave little room for our opponents to run into, we could perhaps take note of NPs keeness to the tag as they really were like tackling tigers, giving little time for our attackers.

The final score NP 6 Ivel 3 again with Rory picking up three opportunist tries with good supporting play from strong
running by Ethan, Murray, Freddy and Billy.

Onto the third game and definetly Ivels best.

More detrermination in defence especially from Billy who verged very close to too physical- must remember this year is a non contact year. A couple of good runs from Cameron and Harrison, it is difficult to fit into a well established team but they both had good games. Some excellent defence from Tom and Owen, they need to concentrate on supporting the play, always look for where the ball is and as shown in the first two games supporting players score the tries!

An excellent game to finish off the day and a victory at last 4-2 to Ivel with tries from Murray, Ethan and two for Rory.

To sum up the day -  a frustrating one for the coach with us forgetting the basics of moving forwards - the try line won't come to you and it is hard to support a retreating line!  A little lack in drive and urgency - we need to be more like tackling tigers closing the opposition down giving them no time to look for possible gaps.

Better organisation - not just shouting " defensive line on me" but talking to each other and keeping spread out and defending as a line.

All of these things will be excellent skills for all of the boys playing careers, whatever level they may play.

it is very important to remember however, that the boys played with no coach directly behind them - they are
on the pitch as individuals but are moulding into a team. Next year no coaches are allowed on the pitch and we are learning early to get ourselves organised.

Good effort by all and something to think about for Bridport on Sunday - some talking, tackling tigers ready to run
and run and run.

Man of the match Rory leading the way as always with his keeness - excellent support and running gave him 8 tries on the day. I was impressed with Owen who showed good concentration, keep it up.

Many thanks to all of the parents and families who came to support the boys.

Thank you to Jo for standing in for team manager Alex - thanks to Alex as always for organising.