Sub-16/18 v Belenenses/Cascais

Read Damian Steele's match report and view images from the sub-16 and sub-18 games here.

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View Peter Fay's images from the sub-18 game v Cascais here: http://goo.gl/CpeKN 

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View Peter Fay's images from the sub-16 game v Belenenses here: http://goo.gl/wmWtt 

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Match Report by Damian Steele

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The Sub 18s received a very valuable lesson, and equally important reality check, in a 15-7 loss to Cascais on Sunday afternoon.

After last weekend´s highly impressive performance, the boys were extremely excited and confident going into this match against their more fancied opposition.  Unfortunately our game management and fundamental skills did not match the willingness and commitment, and we were left to regret far too many handling errors, a dysfunctional lineout, and poor attacking alignment and decision-making.

Cascais knew they were in a contest from the outset, with our players hitting like sledgehammers in defence, and scrambling effectively any time a potential overlap showed its ugly little face.  Some discipline problems and a number of handling errors coming out of our half saw Cascais draw first blood with a converted try, through a number of effective pick and drives from close range.  They followed up with a successful penalty which saw them take a 10 - 0 lead into the half time break.

The game was still very much there for the taking, as long as we made better use of the rugby ball and maintained our discipline.  But.....we didn´t.  The second half saw us continue to unsuccessfully play hot potato with the ball, which ultimately let our tiring opposition off the hook through continual unforced errors.  Cascais were first to strike in the second half through a long range intercept, and it was always going to be tough going to come back from 15 - 0.  To the boys credit, 15 nil would´ve turned to 40 or 45 just a few months ago, but they continued to toil (and cough up possession), and were eventually awarded  with a converted try to Tomás Reid after a very solid scrum and good running lines from the backs, which was the end of the scoring for the day.

It was a disappointing result for the boys, after what was a spirited and wholehearted performance.  However, it was a great "rugby lesson" and the players are continually learning that there´s more to rugby than smashing into people while chasing an egg around a field.  Vision, communication, the ability to implement a game plan and follow instructions, maintaining composure and sticking to the basics are all areas, which I´m sure will improve after today´s match.

The forwards should be applauded for their scrummaging, which provided a very solid foundation for the backs to attack from.  The referee was also very good and fair, and it would be hoped that he´s as generous with his €20 notes as he is with the yellow cards.

Credit must go to Cascais who stuck to their game plan and no frills approach, and showed our boys how to manage a match.  There were no stand out performers for them, but they worked very hard as a unit and were effective in their contact situations and defensive shape.

Next Sunday we have another home game against Técnico, which will be decisive in our attempt to maintain our status as an A League team for next season.

Man of the Match - Tom Vilar

Try - Tomás Reid

Conversion - Santiago Oriol