Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Monday, 2 June 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
RC at every given opportunity looked for set pieces using it to bulldoze their way over the opposition. At line out time, they ensured good clean ball and the Petes had no answer to the rolling maul. The Petes embarked upon the futile ploy of collapsing the maul and gave away plenty of penalties. RC enjoyed plenty of possession and territory and the fact that they were unable to get more points on the board is a testimony to the Pete defence and aided by some poor handling by RC at crucial junctures.
The Pete forwards were slow, sloppy, and indecisive and lost the ball in contact on a number of occasions. At the breakdown, at times they secured turnover ball only to lose it at the next point of contact. They played three quarters of the game with a lack of urgency whilst RC walked all over them and the physical toll on the Petes was plain to see. The Petes also took some poor decisions and when awarded a penalty within striking distance opted for a quick tap and go. Against a set of RC forwards who are heavier and more physical, this is foolhardy.
The Pete fly half is able to kick long and deep and find touch, whilst if the opponent is close at hand, he does get his man. That appears to be his only attribute as his ability to read the game and marshal the troops is absent as is his levels of fitness. In short the Petes never looked like being able to score, sans the last quarter.
They appear to be a team that is still in the ‘work in progress’ stage. Their play was riddled with a number of unforced errors, inability to counter the rolling maul and being unable to bring down the opposition before he got past the gain line. As they have to meet some tough teams in the forthcoming weeks, they need to get some of their basics right and look at where they slot in their play maker Kutty to have the maximum impact.
RC looks well settled and they will be tough to beat. They need to improve upon their handling skills in the three quarter line and thereafter they should be ready to go. Without doubt, the bragging rights of the two sets of coaching staff was won by Sanath Martis and Colin was left to lick his wounds and go back to the drawing board.
In the first half the weather gods threatened a deluge with dark angry clouds hovering over the complex. In the last quarter the Petes with fresh legs on the park threatened to cross the Royal goal line. Both did not materialise. Instead, the Royal forwards rumbled throughout the game and thundered over the Pete’s goal line with moderate success.
The refereeing was pretty average and on a number of occasions, he just did not let the game flow. The quality of a good referee is to be able to play the advantage rule well as then the flow of the game is not interrupted. It is important that they remember that the crowds throng the venue to witness free flowing rugby, which in turn brings out the best in a player and the team. Crowds do not turn up so gauge whether the referee is able to interpret the rules in a fair manner.
(The writer can be reached via [email protected].)
