Pre-season had been mixed with fluctuating numbers and we'd only really had one session the week before as a whole team. The nerves were soon evaporated when the lads dominated from the first whistle. Asked to focus on a proactive attacking defensive line, the lads were soon in the faces of the opposition prompting mistakes and turning over ball. We wanted quick ball from every breakdown and Isaac made sure that a rampant set of forwards got the opposition turning and unable to sort their line.

Quick hands enabled Oliver Bennett to make a strong run for the first score which really set the tone for the game. We were playing with confidence, dynamic in attack and the forwards were dominant around the ruck.
There was support everywhere, good communication and a willingness to make hard yards to set scores up for other team members.

There were some great individual performances, but the team effort really shone through. Some fantastic tries by Elliot, Riley, Isaac, Finley, Oliver John and Robbie followed, but I was so impressed by Riley and Mckenzie in particular who were making strong runs, sucking in defenders but then looking for offloads to put team members in for scores.

I was so proud of the whole team when we came off the pitch, they absolutely played their socks off, gave everything for each other, and really put their bodies on the line.

Mckenzie, who hasn't been with us that long, was so strong in attack (we already knew this), but his tackling and support play was immense. He pipped Riley to Forward of the match.
Jacob Bartley, who has suffered with his confidence at times, really fronted up making some great forward runs, and strong tackles......keep pinning your lugs back Jake and just go for it!!!
A big shout out to Robbie and Jacob Reid who did a fantastic job in the backrow having never played there before and only being told they were playing there 60 mins before kick off.

I loved this performance, a real team performance and the lads were buzzing at the end, well done!!