Cup win for mighty thirds

Rugby date 6/11/10 Raging Bull Shield home against Sefton Score 22-3

Hi Guys,

Well we got our cup run off to a great start yesterday with a convincing win over our visitors Sefton, who travelled with 15 players and made a good game of it. There are some issues though that we still need to work on, we got off to a flyer with Adam (Ollie) Alstead going over for his first try this season after 4 minuets. But we found ourselves under pressure from the ref's whistle due to our indiscipline, with a narrow lead we constantly found the shrill blast of whistle going against us. In times like these we seem to fall apart instead of pulling together, and give more needless penalty's away and end up suffering cards.

Our discipline has been good for the last few games, and it was frustrating to see ourselves fall back in to old habits. As your captain it is my job to control my team and players for the 80 minuets we are on the field, the referee says control your men and I felt disappointed that I couldn't do that yesterday. We have to learn from our mistakes yesterday, I don't want a shift in the commitment shown but we must start listening to the ref and your captain. When I say one voice it is mine I want I will then ask for other opinions, but when I ask all to concentrate and cut the silly penalty's and the back chat, that is what I want. We managed to hold on to our lead and increase it, also putting up a superb defensive performance to withhold Sefton and all that they threw at us. But we will end up loosing games if we continue to perform so poorly in our discipline.

There are a few tactical points we still need to work on, mainly around the tackle area. As a team we are not hitting the ruck convincingly, we have drive through the ruck taking out the opposition players. Not standing out and not leaning on, what I want first and foremost is the ball secure and a platform for our scrum half. Its no good not competing at the breakdown and leaving our scrum half struggling to get the ball away. P.G. Will work on these points on a Thursday night at training, 7pm till 9pm lets keep up the hard work we have been doing at training and continue to get good numbers down.

Next week we return to our league games, and welcome Tarleton to Ramsgreave , availability please as soon as possible to myself or Keith. When I ask for availability what I am looking for is those players who want to play and are going to be available to let us know, maybe a text or a call and then we will confirm you on Thursday night. It gets frustrating when players say I didn't get a call, we are not physic and don't call every name in the phone book but if you wish to play let us know and you will get a call and a game.

Also next week Andy Snape is having his 21St at the All Blacks club at Lamack, he has made it an open invitation for all third team players supporters and friends. Lets get down and wish him all the best from all his friends in the thirds. I am also going to arrange a Christmas meal for all players and members, and their partners. It will consist of a sit down meal and disco to follow, I feel it will be a good opportunity for us to bring along our other halves and let them meet the lads you spend so much time with. The date I am looking at will be the 11Th of December and cost will be £18 per head. I will send a E mail and post on facebook and pitchero please make this a great evening.

Regards Carlos (captain).