First Match Summery
Eric Bryan
Gillford 18, Asheville 17
Well the first game of the spring season for Asheville with new and old faces, this was a rather strange game in that so many penalties were against us, especially in the line outs; which slowed the game down and gave Gillford more of an attacking and positional advantage. In the first half we were somewhat slow in getting the ball out to the backs, but when we did get the ball back we either dropped it or took it back into the forwards. Our mauling and rucking was good and we had some good forward drives on our scrums, see in as we had a first timer as a prop, so we held up well.
Our only problem was Gillford driving the scrum before the ball was put in and the ref would blow and restart the scrum, when what he should of done on the third offence is penalize Gillford. Our backs were mostly new and old players but again we made bad decisions when we should of run with the ball and quick passing, we kicked it or dropped it, which did not make any headway but caused more countering attack and we had to play more defensively. When we did run the ball we took the play back into the pack instead of down to the wing and along the line. Gillford backs were quick on the attack and in our faces, but Asheville was unable to reciprocate the same play to Gillford. Instead allowing Gillford to take the ball and run. Our decision making was erratic when we were in our twentytwo we should of kicked for territory and make safe (kick for touch). We chose to tried to play it out and pass down the line which seem to make us panic some what. Due to Gillfords back line being quick off the mark.
We had 3 opportunity's where we could of passed the ball and supported the player and scored a try. We still seem to have some football mentality where when we see the try line, we must try and score the try. Instead of looking for support or support calling for the ball we tend to take the ball into the support players zone or into contact when there are other options. To break up the oppositions defense we should look for the pass and support rather than always taking the ball into contact. We are more likely to score a try this way and isn't that what we are there for to act as a team rather than individuals. We must look for support but support should be there at all times.
Chris German played a good game at number 8 he kept the scrum stable. Things changed when we changed our number 8,the Lock, the locks job is to hold the scrum together and to keep the scrum stable not to be looking around which caused our scrum to turn. Once, Gillford knew they could turn us they jumped on the weakness and used it repetitively.
With Gillford missing 2 penalty kicks in the first half. Asheville made the first try with a 15 yard drive from the scrum, excellent play by Asheville's forwards winning it against the head. Unfortunately shortly afterwards Gillford scored when Asheville backs tried to run out from their 22 yard line, and were intercepted bringing the score level, when we should of played safe and kicked the ball for touch. Just before the second half we made some changes to the pack and the backs introducing some new faces. Unfortunately our tackling seemed to go adrift, instead of taking the player to ground the Gillford player was able to stand up and pass the ball out, which they passed quickly attacking us and taking large amounts of ground from Asheville. We were good at rucking and turning players when we did; unfortunately we didn't make better use of the ball possession we had. It wasn't until the last 20 minutes of the game that effort and determination came into the game, but our fitness levels started to show. Gillford managed to score 2 more trys and capitalized on our mistakes and tackling. Asheville fought a good battle to get back into the game but unfortunately the try's were by the corner post and we were unable to convert for points.
Eric Bryan was made Man Of The Match for his contribution effort for playing in the pack.
All in all a good effort by Asheville, new and old players, still leaving lots of room for improvement. And it was nice to have some support from some of the older players on the sideline, and discussion afterwards! In all it made a good Saturday afternoon for Rugby!