Robbers fail to nick it

Rugby date 9/10/10 away against Hutton score 12-10

Hi Guys,

We travelled to Hutton as robbers seeing as they play at Lancashire police headquarters, but came away feeling as though we had been robbed. After yet another great start we managed to dominate the game for the majority of play, phase after phase but unable to convert possession into points. Hutton were superb in their defence as we were when called upon, this resulted in a superb tight game which could of gone either way towards the end. But due to our lack of conversion of supremacy and territory didn't go our way, looking back at the game I feel our inability to change the way we played cost us dear. It was frustrating at the breakdown to see Hutton come up with the ball time and time again, this due mainly to the fitness of our boys not getting there in numbers quick enough. Hutton seemed to have 2 or 3 players in on the tackle before we arrived, when we did arrive we managed to drive through the ball staying on our feet. Something Hutton managed to get away without doing, however we can not blame the referee as was pointed out to me, this is not the Blackburn way and I apologise for my lack of discipline on this matter. The fact is that Hutton took their chances to get back in to the game after the half time break, once again we let the opposition rule the first ten minutes after the break. This is where we keep letting ourselves down, Stuart Rouse commented "that we should turn straight round" not having a break a great idea if only we could. We seem to loose all impetuous after the break one minute we are dominating both set piece and territory, then we have a little chat about upping the effort and not allowing the opposition chance to run at us. Restart and do the opposite not committing to tackle allowing the opponents to get territory and apply pressure on our try line.

We have to work hard on this aspect of the game both physically and mentally, keeping the same intensity after the break is down to hard work and discipline but also the will to get back in to the game straight from the off. Maybe a change in tactics is called for to secure some dominance again instead of receiving the ball and trying to run 60 yards to score a try, lets get it off the park and take control of the set piece allowing us to grow back into the game and dominate territory. We were superb in the line again this week both Doc and Tiny leaping like salmons to secure the majority of lineout ball, both on their throw and ours. However Hutton realising that we were ruling the line changed their tactic and instead of competing concentrated on pulling the maul to the ground. Something the ref seemed to think was legal however what did we do to combat this tactic, nothing because we were winning in the air we hoped the ref would ping Hutton and we could carry on with our game plan. Maybe we should have cut the line and used more ball off the top, we can do this tactic very well however I failed to notice the significance of the lineout tactic employed by Hutton and failed to take control of the situation. Sometimes been as inventive as the opponents is the answer, by cutting the line we put more players into the back line, by playing off the top we get quick ball that Hutton are not challenging and we take away the chance of a turnover with them pulling us to ground.

We also dominated at the scrum winning our own ball and the majority of theirs, however winning the scrum isn't the end of the play we have to move the ball and get over the gain line then compete to retain possession and therefore apply pressure by pinning the opponents in their own half. Scot Foster having a superb game at eight was a big lose when suffering a deep cut to his shin and having to go to hospital, I would like to thank Killion for taking him and Charles and Julia for picking him up on the way home. Also a big thanks to Nige Goulthorpe for stepping in at eight not a position he is used to, although we lost some momentum at the tail of the scrum the other forwards now tiring were not there quick enough to support. Tiny getting MoM for the forwards and Adam 'Ollie' Alstead making his return on the wing picking up MoM for the backs. The backs maybe missing some cohesion with so many players moving up to the 2's, so they could play their game. When given the ball made some great inroads. However the Hutton boys constantly flirting with the offside line which seemed to be a doglegged line across the pitch, where always putting our backs under pressure. Some excellent runs from Jimmy Townes again gaining us position but chances going begging again and again. We have to start to take these chances and putting games away with smarter play at times, getting closer sucking in defences and retaining possession. Something to work on in training, Paul Greenwood is doing a brilliant job on Thursday nights and it is starting to show in our game. There has been superb support at training and I thank everyone again but lets not loose focus, and keep up the effort. Next week we welcome Orrel to Ramsgreave they are the table toppers but not undefeated, I am sure we can put out a side that will do Blackburn thirds proud. Once again it will be a hard game but if we learn from our mistakes this week and take our chances we can deliver, nobody enjoys the pressure we enforce when playing our game and making our tackles and supporting each other lets work hard for one-another and keep or discipline once again. Availability as soon as possible please to either myself or Keith.

Regards Carlos (captain).