Cooke Report

Tuesday, 01 December 2009 09:08

1999

With assessment tests and a light dusting of frost we had 8 very willing and able players Janis, Jack T, James, Joshua, Jack P, Stephen, Ryan and Brendan. Plus 2 coaches Matt and Jonny. Cooke had 15 players to select from. It was decided that we would play 8 aside 10 minute games. Scrums and lineouts would be uncontested, Cooke were happy to use a kicking zone and Academy team were happy to not kick.

The first game saw Cooke take an early 2 try lead against the run of play with Cooke having to make plenty of tackles. The try's came from break down in plays and with the help of Academy's desire to avoid tackling, Cooke's strong runners scored from 40m twice. This inspired Academy into life and what can only be described as one of the best Academy mini rugby trys was witnessed by Coaches and parents. The Academy 8 managed to retain possession through 16/17 phases by passing, rucking, offloading and supporting each other. Every player was invloved several times and when the touch down came the ball was passed through 3 sets of hands. Cooke played their part in the score by making numerous very hard tackles in attempting to thwart the Academy attack. Fantastic!

After this both teams played their part in some very good and error free rugby. Several mini battles within each of the games with Janis and Owen from Cooke exchanging tackles and charges at each other several times . Four games in total were played, with Cooke coming out on top in the tackle count with some exceptional last gasp tackling to stop Academy scoring. Academy edged the rucking, passing and support game and Cookes strong runners winning the 40m sprint race. The try count was a tie.

The spirit and desire to play by the Academy eight was a refreshing reward for all involved.

Janis - Ran hard all morning and passed the ball to allow others to score.
Jack T - Kept running and punching holes in the Cooke Defence.
James - Strong running and passed the ball when the option was there and tackled.
Joshua - made some great straight runs and support play was excellent.
Jack P - was the link man between the runners and the support players and made some telling tackles.
Stephen - Scored a great individual try were he was tackled twice and still made it over.
Ryan - Great support play and open running, and fielded the Cooke kicks.
Brendan - Managed to get in and steal some great turnover ball which lead to Academy scores.

Cooke used the kicking rule 3 times, were Academy took advantage and scored from 2 of the kicks. So boys that is why we dont't kick....

Well done boys....

2002
We had 14 Kids turn up for our game against Cooke! (Biggest number of kids this season for us). We had one debutant,Jack.
 
Our first game of  the day was played with Cooke rules  being used ( 3 passes before you are allowed to score from a restart).This did confuse our kids with them forgetting to run forward. Cooke were running well and only some last ditch tackling from Jack,Nik and Patrick prevented some early scores.
The match finished 3-0 to Cooke,
 
Our second game was more of the same with lots of tackling for Academy .Cooke were able to keep the ball for long periods ,Academy were continually running into 2 or 3 oposition players  and losing the ball. The 2 jacks got on the score board for Academy with the game finishing 3-2 to Cooke.
 
 
Before the final game the coaches emphasised the importance of retaining the ball in contact. The match started with Academy at last holding onto posession.Players were supporting the runner and ripping the ball . Cooke and Academy tackled well with cooke running out winners
 
Over all a useful exercise for us.Cooke were a strong side with some big players and strong runners.Academy tackling was good  but we have to be more aggressive in wrestling for the ball and turn away for the oppostion in contact.
 
See you at training this Saturday for lots of fun!