Match Report
CBHS 62 - Jesuit Frosh 12
To say things went well is an understatement, but we were most proud of how the club supported each other, and kept putting in the hard work. The game is easy and a joy to play when we are going forward, isn't it? But we kept going and going...!
Aaron Gustin and Mark Spottiswood both played their first full matches, and Mark especially showed us why we are so excited about watching him grow over then next 4 years... Both have a lot to do, especially developing their speed and power over this summer. Pane, Luca and Sauce up front, Robert, Leo, and Gilbert all did very well, making their tackles and hitting the rucks. Sauce with the devasting runs, but still getting isolated a bit.
Daniel Castano, who had played #8 earlier when Mike Macaluso was injured, came back to #8, and showed the coaches some beautiful stuff.
Nate Bollinger started the match doing great, but took a knock, being booted in the ankle. Justin Walters moved in from inside center, and proved to be lightening quick, and though while obviously not afraid of contact, Justin avoided it just enough to remain very effective, getting to lots of ball. He never lingered, but would strike like a cobra when his innate ability perceived it was time for "ball out."
So now we get to the backs, where we will find our "Man of the Match!" Joe Malm continued to develop his field vision and leadership skills on this day. It can take a good ten years to develop a World Class Flyhalf, and darn it, Joe is well on his way! But no, Joe Malm was not man of the match!
When Justin moved inside to replace Nate, Snoman came on at wing, then to outside center, and we all enjoyed watching him. He's like Aaron and Mark, in need of a hard summer of growth, speedwork and conditioning, but he is playing some good rugby, and that was neat ot see. Connor wasn't feeling well, and so Scott Fenaroli got to see some significant playing time, and did some things very well...
The Coaches really like the way our wings, especially Albert Tapia and Fen Fen, know to cut back in, rather than getting tackled out of bounds. (Gilbert on the other hand needs to learn that lesson, when you get near the touch line, smash back inside!.) You guys are lightening quick and need to develop some better 'rugby sense' so you can more confidently take sudden and treacherous incursions into our attack, from all across the field. Our fullback Joe Perez is "getting it" and doing it, more and more, and his skills and confidence will only grow from here! Keep putting in the hard work boys. The trys will come! And great conversion kicks from Mr. Perez too! Interestingly, I ran into Albert Tapia, Sr., at the market on the way home, and he promised to make it out to the match Thursday!
Please remember, we love our adventurous fullback and wings, but the team on the field needs to maintain a "Deep 3" Cover defense at almost all times. If and when Perez goes up and gets caught in attack, say at a tackle/ruck, the #8 must recognize the possible danger and drop back (or 9 or 10 next, or the 6 or 7), and the 11 and 14 (wings) need to be far more active and slide across: We should always be in position to cover a possible swift and deep counterattack. If a turnover comes fast, and the other team has a strong foot they can get the ball back to, we may be doomed,... unless we maintain the necessary discipline to reset a "Deep 3" Cover defense.
Which brings us to Ryan Donoghue. He of the "Man of the Match!" Our first Christian Brothers hat trick... three tries scored is good even if we are playing against a school for the blind! Great stuff Ryan. And this from a kid others had commented had yet to really play up to his potential.
Ryan's eyes kept firing up, and his fellow backs were feeding off this too. "Send this message to your opponent Ryan: It'll be a long day, and I'm going to keep coming, and you had better deal with it!" From there the fend, swerve, chip 'n chase, pass and dummy can all be so much more effective. Ryan didn't just score three tries, he was devastating! And in the end, the Jesuit side (and their 20 subs) wanted no part of this very dangerous man! Welcome to rugby my friend!
