A Team: Today the team came out and played as a team, learning from the lessons last week, where we saw Ealing defending as a unit we did similar this week, in particular Gabriel and George who constantly put the Saracens player under pressure. A throw back to the Joe Worsley days of a "blitz defence". In attack the ball was moved quickly through all supporting players creating space and accounting for 2 tries in the first half. Saracens had 2 opportunities to score but resolute defence by the whole team ensured we kept our opponents to zero in the first half and allowed for one breakaway try involving 6 of our players. The second half Saracens came out with more aggression but Wasps still scored two tries and again kept Saracens to nil. The pressure from Wasps was relentless with one play in the match involving 18 phases - all down to support - teamwork - and recycling the ball.

Score: Wasps 4-0 Saracens

Man of the Match: George Lyons

A Team: The second game was against Harrow and started well with Gabriel latching onto a quick pass from Zac to run through the middle of the defence. Our rucking helped us to secure ball for a further 2 tries in the first half. But Harrow hit back through a combination of sustained pressure and a gap in our defence to go over. The second half was a different story with the backs taking over and a move involving Zac and both Finlays got the half off well. Soon after a quick pass by Zac released Finlay Bell down the wing to score (and it was pleasing he did NOT do the Ashton swan dive - as he had threatened to do!). Today was the best sequence of plays we had seen this season, both in defence and attack. Tackle of the day goes to Angus Currie who stopped the Harrow tight head in his tracks with a cruching tackle, turned him and allowed our team to rip the ball to score the final try of the match

Score: Wasps 5-1 Harrow

Man of The Match: Finlay Bell

The B Team only managed one game today against Saracens. Unfortunately, some of the progress from last week seemed to be forgotten, as we came up against a well drilled outfit that dominated possession. We were also not as focussed as we could have been to start off with, and lost the first half 0-3. We switched on after half time, started to win some ball and put our tackles in, and drew the second half 2-2. Man of the Match: James Osborne (really!), for scoring two tries, putting in his tackles and regularly taking on their team rucking on his own.
We spent the second half of the session doing some much needed drills aimed at keeping and obtaining possession.

The C and D groups were mixed into blue and black teams. After training we played each other which the black team won 2 0 and then took turns to play the Saracen's B team. As we expected they were stronger but both sides put a valiant effort. The blues lost 3 0. Sadly the Blues also lost to Saracens, the final score being 3-0 as well. That said, the match was marked by some excellent tackling by all the players, and good work in the mauls. Rucking is still causing problems, with too many players simpy trying to pick the ball rather than drive over and secure it for those behind. Players also need to remember to run "straight" when in possession and not sideways.

So a few things to work on, but overall I was really pleased with the attitude, commitment and effort, and everyone rose to the challenge of "tackle like you meant it" despite some of the opposition being bigger than a few of the coaches.

For the blues the main learning points is to run with ball in two hands, turn and protect the ball in the tackle. It was noticeable that as the game progressed our mauling improved but we need to work on this and make it automatic, The strong point was effort from all the players.

Next week training at home where we will be working on a 4-man line defence, turning in the tackle, protecting the ball and getting the ball to the wingers quickly.

Thanks to the players, supporters and all the coaches for today.

Waheed