Wasp Football ClubWasp Football Club
 

 

07/03/07; 10:14



 WASPS COLTS 2006/7 


 Anything but a stroll in the park

 

Wasps under 18s 12  Rosslyn Park Colts  19

Wasps went into the game after never losing a game to Park at this age group. However with Park fielding many Under 19s Wasps found the power and strength of their forwards too much and found life difficult on a windy morning in Richmond Park.

 

Right from the start Wasps were under pressure and Park scored a soft try from an undefended blind side. Park converted against the wind.  Wasps continued to struggle for long periods of the first half and found it hard to come to terms with the rucking, driving mauls and pick and drive from the Park forwards. It was therefore no surprise that Park went further ahead after crashing over the Wasps goal line. However as the half wore on Wasps became more resolute in defence and started to win some possession. Through the forwards, namely Charlie Thompson, Ralph O'Connor and Calum Chesterman Wasps took the ball forward around the fringes and played for the first time with continuity. These tactics paid off and when the ball was released to the backs Joby Weston charged forward scoring with a fine individual effort. Ollie Holmes converted with a wonderful strike against a strong wind. The game looked within the Wasps grasp but Park came again and scored from a driving maul to take them two scores a head. Although Wasps did not give up they never looked like scoring until Joby Weston again went on one of his trademark runs and scored. Although there was a quarter of the game still to run Wasps squandered opportunities to gain good field positions and the game slipped from the Wasps grasp.

 

Good

 

  1. Strong running by Joby Weston in midfield
  2. Arran Ross , once he decided to take the opposition on had a good game at scrum half
  3. Basille Mineville had a good game in defence doing all the right things well. He even had a spell at full back and acquitted himself well.
  4. Good pick and drive and 'leeching on ' by the forwards for a short period towards the end of the first half.
  5. Defensive work by the backs was good. Park looked totally ineffectual when they moved the ball wide.

 

Areas for development

 

  1. We were mentally unprepared for the game. It is not easy playing away from the club house in an open windswept park but we must be ready to compete. The game was lost in the first 15 minutes. We must take responsibility for our own warm up if the coaches cannot be with you near to kick off. In future the warm up should include, cardio vascular (running type drills to get the heart rate up), skills practices (ball handling), unit skills warm up (lineout, backs moves) and finish with contact (rucking).
  2. We need to defend the catch and drive at the lineout. Rather than focus on 1 v1's at the lineout, target the jumpers and supporting players nearest to the jumper. Once the jumper has been identified get bodies directly in front of him. We also need to be lower and drive the maul towards the touch line.

 

Thrower           O1       O2X    O3       O5       O6       O8       O7

 

W2                              W1  W4 W3    W7     

                                        W5 W6

                                           W8

O = Opposition

W = Wasps

X = Opposition jumper

 

  1. We did not respond to the driving maul. Put players onto the ground early, try to get up and over the ball and steal a turnover. If that is not possible other forwards arriving need to blitz the ruck.
  2. When we are under pressure and we have the wind use it to our advantage. Kick for touch from penalties and make sure we do not kick the ball dead. We do not need to take quick tapped penalties in our own 22m area.
  3. With the exception of Joby Weston the midfield shipped the ball on, backwards and sideways. Commit defenders, run straight, run from depth, and run into spaces not defenders.
  4. We gave too many penalties at the breakdown for handling or off our feet and diving in. Compete for the ball on your feet but then if the breakdown has been won by the opposition, go to guard, extra guard or defend the channels across the field. Well done Robert Malengreau, no penalties!

 

Man of the Match :

For strong aggressive running; Joby Weston.

 

 

 Wasps U18 Stung by Last Gasp Try


Wasps 14         Barking Colts 17

 

Barking Colts stole the game with a try in the last play of a hard fought match against Wasps U18 at Twyford Avenue.

With 9 Lads selected for Middlesex U18 and several others absent due to injury or half term unavailabilty, Wasps only had 15 players available. 

After an uncertain start Wasps steadied and were soon the dominant team creating several chances. However, through sound Barking defense or unforced errors they were unable to score. The break through came when Centre Joby Weston got by his marker to set up good possession near the Barking line, and with quick recycle Full Back Aaron Ross was able to find a gap in the scrambling defense to score near the posts.  Fly Half Daniel Harvey added 2 points with the conversion. 

Soon after Centre Jack Graves scored an individual try following a well read interception and a 70 metre sprint to the line, again Daniel converted. Wasps pushed on for the rest of the half but were unable to score further.


In the second Barking stepped up the pressure in their forwards and started to deny Wasps any good possession.  Wasps got sucked in to the forward contest and lost the patterns they played earlier in the game.  They still lead 14-0 with 15 minutes to go when Barking finished off a good move with a try in the corner. Minutes later Barking got their 2nd with a conversion to get to within 2 points. The last five minutes saw a great defensive effort by Wasps and everybody thought it was all over when they won a scrum against the head on the 22 but the ref awarded a penalty for driving too early and from a quick penalty tap Barking got over in the corner to deny Wasps a victory.

 

Good


A great team spirit and effort, 15 Guys and nearly a win, special thanks to Andrew, Jonny B, Calum, Damien for stepping forward to play out of position.

Solid scrum, a couple against the head, Front row best around?

Line outs went well, particularly 1st half considering we didn't have a 2nd row (Thanks to Grant for the improvised pre match set up).

Good running lines by the backs and intelligent kicking later on.

 

Things to work on / remember


We probably lost because we got drawn in to forwards confrontation and dog fight that suited Barking better than us. There were a few balls that should have been spread to our backs that had the beating of the opposition.

We tend to react too slowly to the ball carrier so they became isolated.  We also did not go to ground quickly enough to set up rucks, we are not a mauling side.

Backs missed some opportunities by trying to take on too much when a simple pass out wide was a better option

 

Team – Tom Byrne, Ralph O'Connor (Capt), Jonny Shelley, Andrew, Keane, Jonny Becker, Rob Malengreau, Damien Cottrell, Calum Chesterman, Adan Sullivan, Daniel Harvey, Joby, Weston, Jack Graves, Stewart Hitchcock, Toyonu Hunnu-Mollet, Aaron Ross.




National Champions Stung by Wasps


Wasps U18  43 - Bishops Stortford  25

 

Wasps took on last years National Colts Champions and won easily despite many players being unavailable through last minute injuries. Bishop Stortford took honours in the first quarter and went up by 2 tries. However Wasps got back into the game and two penalties from Ollie Holmes and a fine individual run to the line from Dave Birtwhistle enabled the under 18's to go into half time only one point behind.

 

The game proved to be a game of two halves and with the wind behind them Wasps turned their pressure into points in what turned out to be a lesson in clinical finishing. Daniel Harvey was awarded a penalty try after a clever kick and chase and further tries were scored from classic back play by David Birtwhistle, Ollie Holmes and Daniel Harvey. There were also tries from the training field and Truman Sullivan's try from a No 8 Pick up by CharlieThompson was a try to savour. To cap a good all round performance Ollie Holmes made 3 conversions and kicked another penalty in the second half to take Wasps well clear of Bishops Stortford. However, in the last quarter Bishops Stortford rallied and scored a couple of tries to bring to an  end highly entertaining and enjoyable afternoons rugby.

Good points

  1. Players stepped up to cover injuries and had real 'stormers'. Well done Johnny and Calum Chesterman in the second row, Billy Smith on the wrong side and Freddie Edwards at Flanker.
  2.  
  3. Ralph O'Connor captained the side for the first time (Rob Michel injured) and did a fine job. He led from the front and made all the right decisions. Well done.
  4.  
  5. Daniel Harvey came on at 10 and changed the game. Kicked when he had to and moved the ball when it was needed.
  6. Securing the ball at the breakdown was much better. We were more dynamic and took the first opposition player away from the tackle area.
  7. Charlie Thompson gained valuable lineout ball and gained valuable yardage with his forceful charges.
  8. Good team spirit and we played like a team that had been together for some time despite only our 3rd game together.
  9. Continuity was good. We went through the phases, exhausted the channels, stretched the opposition and scored out wide.
  10. We Gained a few turnovers, well done Calum, Freddie and Truman
  11. Good body positions and good driving mauls, particularly from the lineout.

Areas for development

Kick off returns were untidy. If the opposition kicks us the ball then secure it and use it!

  1. The back 3 need to work as a unit particularly when the opposition kicks deep to us. Support the full back and give him more   options.
  2. When we do create a 3 v 2 lets use it and not kick the ball through or take it on into contact.
  3. Defending the driving maul from the opposition lineout was poor. Get low and drive the catcher towards the touchline immediately he gets his feet on the ground.
  4. If the scrum half is under pressure at the scrummage the No8 could help by picking up.


- Well done lads! -

  

 

 

WASPS COMEBACK EARNS DRAW

Finchley Under 19        10 pts               Wasps Under 18 10pts

 

Wasps and Finchley shared the spoils in the first league game of the season. Wasps were 7 points down at half time through two well worked tries by the opposition against a Wasps penalty. Wasps hit back in the second half and were unlucky to earn only a draw. Wasps were kept in a game in the first half by a monster penalty kick from Ollie Holmes but the second half was a different story. Finchley only managed to get into the Wasps half on a couple of occasions and Wasps eventually turned the pressure into points. Adam Sullivan made one of his 'trademark' breaks and used his pace to go under the posts from a static maul.  Ollie Holmes made a simple conversion.

 

Good points

  1. 1.Brilliant place kicking and all round performance by Ollie Holmes
  2. 2.The team showed great grit and determination to stick to it when 10pts down and earn a draw.
  3. 3.Excellent pressure put on at the set piece by the front row. Well done to Ralph O'Connor, Johnny Shelly and Tom Byrne for their second half performance
  4. 4.Back row in the second half got to the breakdown and secured more second phase ball. Well done Truman Sullivan.

 

Areas for development

  1. 1.We lacked pattern to the game. We need to secure at least 3 phases so that we can have players moving into space within the channels out wide.
  2. 2.We did not get to the breakdown in the first half. This allowed Finchley to gain turnovers and caused the ball carrier to hold on in the tackle and give away penalties.
  3. 3.We were not dynamic at the rucks. This enabled Finchley to get their hands on and lie all over the ball. First players to the breakdown need to 'blow' the opposition away. Forget sealing or bridging (securing) just drive the opposition away from the ball.

Norman Parker.

 WASPS UNDER 18S SURVIVE EARLY STORM AND LATE SURGE   

Wasps Under 18        29                    Maidenhead  Under 18        21  

Wasps defeated a well organized Maidenhead team in appalling conditions at Twyford Avenue. Although the rain relented for much of the game the scene was set just before kick off when Wasps had to warm up in torrential rain. One thought that the muddy conditions and the size of the back pitch would lead to a dull and forward dominated encounter. It was not to be! The game, helped greatly by the refereeing of a top class Australian on his way to referee in the Dubai sevens, ended up an end to end pulsating affair with Wasps looking to move the ball and keep the ball alive. Maidenhead must also be commended for making a significant contribution to a most enjoyable 70mins rugby.  

Early on Maidenhead pressured Wasps with pick and drive but a handling mistake allowed Wasps to get out of their half and some neat handling and inter passing up the right hand side allowed Jack Lewis to go over near to the posts. Daniel Harvey easily converted. Almost similar circumstances led to Wasps second try only this time Daniel Harvey scampering through to score and convert his own try. Wasps could have scored another couple of tries before the interval. Joby Weston's strong running allowed him to get near to the line but lost his footing and was stopped short. On another occasion the ball was spilled about 2m from the line after another fine free flowing move from the Wasps backs. However a fine first half performance was capped by a score from a pick up and drive from Charlie Thompson after ball had been taken against the head at the Maidenhead scrummage. This took Wasps into a lead to 19- nil at half time. The second half was a different story. Wasps took their foot off the pedal and allowed Maidenhead to score 2 converted tries, without reply, making the score 19 -7. Wasps did immediately reply with well finished try from Markus Burcham after some fine continuity work up the left hand side. Wasps sealed the game with another fine example of good hands and continuity allowing Arran Ross to get the ball down  in the corner despite being tackled. Maidenhead replied but the final whistle went immediately after to allow Wasps to cling onto a 29-21 points win.  

Good

  1. Poor weather did not dampen the Wasps spirit. Although we tired later on everyone played for the jersey.
  2. Confidence in handling and moving the ball was excellent, even in dreadful conditions. On one occasion we were under pressure near to our line but we did not panic. We simple used quick hands to get the ball into space and then relieve the pressure.
  3. Ralph O'Connor had a stormer, taking the ball forward and always keeping hold of the ball to ensure continuity. His captaincy was also of the highest quality: changing tactics when we had to and being positive at all times with the rest of the team. Well done and keep it up Ralph!
  4. Charlie Thompson pushed Ralph O'Connor close for Man of the Match. He again made some telling forward drives, made ground and secured the ball ensuring continuity. Charlie also made some good decisions at the back of the scrummage and picked up at all the right times. His lineout was also exceptionally good and won 100% of the ball on our throw.  Well done, excellent stuff!
  5. Back row did well. Markus Burcham had a great second half putting in some big hits and always there in support of the backs for a pass or offload and Robert Malengreau got to the breakdown and did what was needed with the ball in his hands.
  6. Backs looked dangerous whenever they got the ball even in appalling conditions. Jack Lewis looked his old self with some mazy runs. Joby Weston ran with his usual strength and determination and Daniel Harvey showed his usual quick feet and safe hands. Basille Minerville looked very comfortable on the wing and carried out his defensive duties extremely well. Despite the conditions I cannot recall the backs spilling  ball on one single occasion
  7. Front row of Johnny Shelly, Ralph O'Connor, Tom Byrne and later Calum Chesterman  put pressure on the Maidenhead scrummage and nicked a couple of important balls against the head.
  8. Johnny Becker and Calum Chesterman stepped up to the second row and did a commendable job. Always in the thick of things and giving physicality to the pack.
    Areas for Development 1.      Same old problem at the breakdown! We got there but did not blitz the opposition off the ball allowing them to nick a couple of turnovers. We must explode through and over the tackle area and not just be content with sealing or bridging. 2.      Our driving at the lineout was poor. Charlie did well with the catch but the drive came on late, the ball was not protected and the resulting maul was static. This resulted in a scrum put in to the opposition. We need to seal off the edges and get the ball to the back of the maul where the opposition cannot get close to it. We also need a narrower focus of drive around and behind the ball to drive the maul forwards.     Man of the Match   Ralph O'Connor  

  1. Poor weather did not dampen the Wasps spirit. Although we tired later on everyone played for the jersey.
  2. Confidence in handling and moving the ball was excellent, even in dreadful conditions. On one occasion we were under pressure near to our line but we did not panic. We simple used quick hands to get the ball into space and then relieve the pressure.
  3. Ralph O'Connor had a stormer, taking the ball forward and always keeping hold of the ball to ensure continuity. His captaincy was also of the highest quality: changing tactics when we had to and being positive at all times with the rest of the team. Well done and keep it up Ralph!
  4. Charlie Thompson pushed Ralph O'Connor close for Man of the Match. He again made some telling forward drives, made ground and secured the ball ensuring continuity. Charlie also made some good decisions at the back of the scrummage and picked up at all the right times. His lineout was also exceptionally good and won 100% of the ball on our throw.  Well done, excellent stuff!
  5. Back row did well. Markus Burcham had a great second half putting in some big hits and always there in su