What a game! What a way to end the term off!

It has been quite a ride with team so far, so for them to finish off and win against Wynberg away is by no means a small achievement!

For the boys to have come from almost no-where at the beginning of the year, to where they are now is utterly amazing, and the best part of this is that they have not even scratched the surface of what they are capable of doing!

I’m sure every spectator who has been at all our games will understand the kind of journey this team has been on so far, one of complete determination, commitment, passion, fun and friendship. To have been able to turn last years results on their head is one hell of a task, and for 14/15 year olds to collectively decide that this year will be different to last is impressive, and an attitude I admire and respect. Although we still have a lot more games to play, I believe the rest of the season should be a lot more enjoyable as I believe the boys have finally realised what they are capable of if they just believe in themselves, each other and the team. There really is nothing holding this team back, bar themselves, so for them to have changed this mindset to where they are now is massive.

I was never worried about them losing to Wynberg yesterday, because I knew they were finally ready to finish off a game. It has taken a lot of training, talking and help to have got the boys to where they are now, but it just shows what can be done if you believe!

The way the team played yesterday in spite of our journeyman centre arriving 10mins before the end of the match is testament to their new found character. It did not bother them, while Ajam and Reece filled in like they have not been away at all. That shows what this team is made of, and I’m sure very few teams can boast that they have the mental toughness to pull a win off in that circumstance.

The team dominated possession and field position the entire match, but just failed to score when crucial handling errors, or turnover ball occurred when Wynberg were under severe pressure. This is a testament to Wynberg as they defended magnificently and really never gave up the entire match. I was surprised they never went for poles on a few occasions, but then again neither did we, I presume it has to do with derby days and the boys obviously wanted to win properly by scoring a few tries, this is not a bad manner in which to play the game, but you only need 1 point to win a match and the result is what lingers forever not the tries scored.

I thought our boys were a tad nervous during the game as the intensity of last week was not entirely there, but then again that is what happens when you don’t have an unbelievably good mental coach work with your team every week!

But then again the boys ran the structure and played smartly, keeping the ball in Wynberg’s half, so possibly they played their best game ever, thinking a few steps ahead, something the team has failed to do so far, but they lacked the physicality of last week. I would bet my left toe on the fact that the team never believed Wynberg would win so the effort they put in was just enough to win and not to completely dominate them. But a win is a win and the team will take it!

There were a few moments that stood out for me that just highlight the type of team the boys have become, with the biggest point being they never panicked when Wynberg was near our line, or even broke through, the team merely got back, defended like they are supposed to and won the ball back. This just shows how far they have come on, because at the start of the year this type of pressure would have had some of them pull their hair out and shout and scream at each other! While on the flip side they panicked when they had the ball and were inside Wynberg’s 22m, here for the first time the team had plenty possession to score with, but forced things when they were not on. This is something I can understand as they have never been in this situation before, so it was completely new for them. It was a pity they did not score after all their hard work, but after more practice they will be able to score plenty tries!

There were a few moments of individual brilliance that make me bow down in worship to their brilliance.

The first has got to be Shane after he stopped a certain try on the blindside of Wynberg’s maul. He was isolated, it was 1 on 1 and about 8 meters wide, but he did the unbelievable and stopped the try, the try that could have been the match winner for them. It was momentous as it shifted the momentum back in our favour. I was and still am stoked with him!

The second goes to Ben, who recently found this new confidence and so decided to become a ball carrier. He stepped and bounced plenty Wynberg players at will, making it look so easy. He has suddenly become a big part of the team and one we now cannot do without!

And lastly the lineout king, Justin was just superb! He dominated the lineout so much so that Wynberg only won 2 balls the entire match, 1 in a short lineout and the other on our 5mtr line where he does not jump, the rest were easy pickings for him, not once did Wynberg come close to taking his ball, while their ball was basically his if he decided he wanted it. The cockiness of his performance is proof to me of the new found confidence that has filtered into the team.

It really is a treat to coach them as it is one hellava fun team, who work hard, are determined, passionate and committed to doing well and regaining the respect of their peers. I truly enjoy working with them and I look forward to the holidays where some serious skill work as well as conditioning can take place. Now is not the time to sit back and think the rest of the season will be taken care of, because it isn’t. Some real hard work needs to be done if the team are to carry on improving and keep the journey going onward and upward.

I ask all parents to try and ensure the boys come to as many of the designated practices as possible and to do some training by themselves as well. It is vitally important as the momentum they have gained can potentially be lost and the team could be back at square one next term. It is up to every single person in the team or involved with the team to keep focussed and try even harder to achieve the success the boys so desperately want.

It really is up to them now if the team carries on flying upwards or stagnates in mediocrity.

I know which one I’d like, but what will the team want?

Well done for beating Wynberg…

This could only be the beginning of something really special!