A full U8 squad turn up to face Weston & they have enough to accomodate 2 teams.

Players: Harvey, Rory, Charlie, Sam, Amos, Wes, Will, Ethan, Theo, Callum.

Game 1

Hornets 16 – 12 Broad Plain

This 6-aside match against a pacy Hornets side saw some excellent running with ball in hand from the Plain boys, but the need to rotate the 10 man squad meant our ever changing defensive line left a few too many gaps at times.
Support play was a real highlight, with a number of tries being scored after the runner was tagged just short of the line but had someone on his shoulder to lay the ball off to. The sea air certainly agreed with Charlie who was a try scoring machine all morning, crossing 5 times in this match – often after a mazey run from far out. Wes went over for 2 tries, as did Sam, with Will, Rory and Amos also getting on the score sheet. None of the boys shirked their tagging duties, with Theo, Harvey, Ethan and Callum all getting stuck in.

Game 2

Hornets 6 – 13 Broad Plain

Wow – what a performance!!! The change to 7-aside seemed to suit our boys just fine!!! The scoring went from end to end until Plain found their top form and opened up an 8-3 lead by half time. Charlie didn’t rest on his laurels after the first match, in fact he went in to overdrive, this time running in 7 [yes SEVEN] tries! Wes bagged himself a hat trick, Theo – who deserves a special mention for his eel-like running – helped himself to a brace, while Ethan shook off a blow to the head to get on the score sheet too. The highlight of this match though was the fantastic defensive line that the boys held, with at least one try coming from never-say-die tagging on our own try-line that lead to turnover ball, followed by a fast break that finished with a score. Once again, all the boys tagged like demons and never gave up the chase. It was a joy to see their reaction at half time when they realised how well they were playing and they couldn’t wait to get back out for the second period. Plenty of positives to take into the next match!!!

MoM – Wes: showed the value of support play by following the ball carrier right to the line, and picking up a couple of tries from close range after the tag.

Players Dan, Jake, Oliver, Roman, Jack, Leo, Josiah, Archie, Blake & Joe.

Game 1

Hornets 3 – 9 Broad Plain.

Game 2

Hornets 8 – 8 Broad plain

The boys started where they left off last week without dropping any commitment towards tagging, following the rules of 6 tag turn over this paid off with some ball turnovers again.
Jake again this week showed amazing aerobatics which resulted in several try saving tags, Leo, Josiah & Joe again were solid in defence from the start off getting stuck in which produced them getting multiple tags when in defence.
Blake’s offence is the best defence approach paid dividends as from every start off the Hornets made they were put under pressure, this resulted in several fumbled balls which he would then manage to pass it back from the ground to the waiting Plain players.
Dan, Oliver, Archie and Jack worked well in the centre in both attack and defence This resulted in tries from the boys as well as assists for other players when going forward from their good support play.
When attacking they all took the ball forward with some good weaving steps to make gaps in the Hornets defensive line. Roman at one point seemed to pirouette out of being tagged by the Hornets to score.

I think we need a little work on our kick off as sometimes this seemed a little unorganised and also the acceptance of the refs decision when on the pitch. The positional play today shows great improvement with the boys working very hard to ensure they were always onside and ready to receive the ball and this shows in the scoreline.

I would like to thank the boys as they showed amazing patience, due to the size of the squad they were being substituted to ensure that everyone got as much game time as possible.

Man of the match – Dan for his good support play & solid defence.