The u16A team started the 2011 season with great expectation, hype, excitement and a huge amount of hard work during the Pre-Season.
The boys began Pre-Season in Jan doing fitness, skills and gym work twice a week on Sunday and Wednesday afternoons with Len the teams Biokineticist. This was taxing physically, but big gains were seen once the boys took to the field for the first time.
The season started out with a bang against Milnerton and St Johns with 11 tries scored in the first two encounters, conceding 1. The boys were hungry and ready to make their season a truly memorable one. In between the St Johns game and the next fixture, the boys went on camp to the prestigious Alan Zondagh Rugby Performance Centre out in Riebeeck West. Here the boys received special treatment, including ice baths, recovery swims and physio treatments to ready themselves for the first real test of the year, Grey P.E. The boys enjoyed the experience massively and after two days the team headed back on the bus to see if they were up to the task against a strong Grey side, determined to win after their loss to Rondebosch two days previously.
The boys could not have been more focussed for the game and played out of their skins in attempting to claim a big scalp so early in the season. Unfortunately it was not to be as two easy tries allowed Grey to control the game even though we dominated possession and looked better on attack. This in my mind was the major turning point in both the boy’s confidence and their belief in them selves. Comments from the boys after the game and in subsequent weeks, made it quite clear that they did not understand what the point was of trying so hard and still losing. If your best is not good enough then why bother?
This mindset was prevalent in the next few big games, Drostdy, Jeppe and Boland Landbou in which we lost all three by extremely close margins. The Drostdy game was lost by 6 points, Jeppe by 2 points – even though they were up by 9 points at Half Time, and Boland Landbou by 4 points.
The boys played hard, but I could see their confidence had gone and the good feelings that the team had at the start of the year had now evaporated. To win big games you have got to back yourself 100% and I believe that victory is possible as long as you play to win and not to lose. The biggest disappointment was that a single loss could change everything so quickly. The boys were better than their opposition in all three games, but lacked the belief and finishing in order put a seal to the games.
Next up was Rondebosch, the teams arch rivals for so long, and unfortunately this game came at the worst possible time for us. Had we won a couple of the games before this one, I am confident things would have been completely different against Bosch, however this was not to be and the boys suffered a torrid time against a strong and confident Bosch side. Our 1st half was abysmal, while Bosch ran us ragged, scoring 20 points in the first half alone. To the boys credit they fought back and were in the game for a short period in the 2nd half, however Bosch were too classy and finished us off. Confidence evaporated! Back to the drawing board!
Bishops was up next and the boys scored a vital confidence booster, winning by 9 points to 0 away at Bishops. This victory we hoped would put the team back on track.
The team played their best game of the year in my opinion, albeit on the losing side, against Paul Roos at home. The boys were so fired up and played such smart rugby, playing territory and using the pick and drive to good effect. The set pieces were functioning superbly, while every player played very well. The boys went into the half 3 nil down with everything to play for in the 2nd half. Unfortunately the boys were outclassed by two moments of brilliant rugby by Paul Roos who pounced twice after two silly errors by us, firstly a knock on the Paul Roos 5mtr line and secondly a poor defensive error lead to two game changing tries. We had our own opportunities to hit back, but again, a lack of finishing saw us lose, but my goodness, the coaches were massively proud of the boys.
The last three games of the term we found ourselves up against Primrose, De Kuilen and Wynberg, winning all three to finish off the 1st half of the season on a high. Wynberg especially was a great performance as the boys pulled off some spectacular handling and support play to score three long range tries to seal a 25 – 5 victory.
The 2nd half of the season was unfortunately a big disappointment as it seemed the boys came back from holiday very slowly, forgetting the intensity and focus needed to win games again. The first three games back we lost against Colstons (UK), Brackenfell and Paarl Boys. This was not the ideal start to a term in which the boys could have turned their winning percentage around. Against Colstons the boys were still on holiday and failed to arrive mentally for the game playing poorly as a result. Against Brackenfell we were missing five members of the pack, but still the team could have won it had they finished better, while against Paarl Boys the boys were outclassed, but had they taken their opportunities in the 1st half they could have gone into halftime 3 points down. This was not to be and the team were convincingly beaten.
The last four games provided the team with 3 wins against Oakham (UK), Bishops and Wynberg. Rondebosch proved once again to be too strong, and although we played far better and had more control of the game we could not get across their whitewash and lost for the second time. Against Bishops the boys completely dominated territory and possession, but failed time and again in the 1st half to score tries. However the pressure eventually told on Bishops and the tries eventually came. A good win from the team who played with more tactical awareness than Bishops did.
Last up was Wynberg who were definitely in the mood to spoil the boy’s party by attempting to beat us for the 1st time since 2009. The 1st half belonged to them, but tellingly we scored through an excellent run by Struan Murray which put us in the pound seats going into the half. The 2nd half was a lot closer as we began to get into the game better. Our defence was the most impressive feature of the day, making 120 tackles against a determined but predictable Wynberg side. Devon Barnard scored a crucial try to seal the game 12 – 0, thereby finishing the season off with a win.
All told the team played 20, won 10 and lost 10 scoring 47 tries in the process and conceding 27. The win ratio was less than the team aimed for, however all told the 50% win ratio is this team’s best win ratio in high school. The team were competitive in every game and had they just believed in themselves more and played with more confidence things may have been different.
Any end of year report is not complete without thanking a few people who helped make this team such a joy to coach.
Firstly to those parents who brought their sons to every practice, who came to watch their sons play week after week, I must thank you as well, for this is a vital component of making teams successful and the boys appreciate it immensely.
To the Barnards who supplied an endless amount of expensive and vital strapping for the boys as well as taking the pictures of the boys for each and every game, this was over and above the normal call of duty and for that I thank them hugely!
To Mrs Walker who fed the coaches and players after games, this was a delightful treat and kept spirits up even after tough losses.
To my fellow coaches, Lorando Ressou, Kevin Dolley and Mr Jones, you guys have been immense this year, giving up your time to help coach the future of SACS Rugby has not been an easy task and for that I must thank you immensely.
And finally I must thank the boys who represented the team this year, who turned up to every practice, gave it their all and improved immeasurably. Their willingness to prove the doubters wrong and achieve some memorable wins was a joy to watch as they grew as individuals and as rugby players. They were a fantastic group of boys, who were always up for a good time, both at practices and at matches (Whether or not this helped them or not is fruit for another discussion) The spirit amongst the boys was the best I have ever experienced as a coach, where friendships were forged and I’m sure many happy memories to savour.
They go off now into the senior ranks where I am positive all will make a big impact either for the 1st XV or the lower teams. The spirit of the Topdogz will endure.
Ross Williams