STL Round 5: vs 1-Keg

Saturday 5th April: Kongsberg Shadows vs 1-keg

The second to last game of round two of the summer league saw the Shadows take on 1-keg. So far this season the Shadows have been working hard on developing the basic patterns in attack and defence which must be done effectively before we can move onto bigger things. Thus the game against 1-keg, was another great opportunity to build on these patterns and gain cohesion as a team. With the best turn out of the season a subbing pattern of one for one was able to be implemented meaning that there would be no problem's with fitness which have hindered the team in the previous weeks. The game started slowly, and early on signs of poor ball handling were to plague the team through out the game. However the shadows dominated the first half still and came through to lead 3 - 0 at half time. There were glimpses of some good passages of play in the first half, however a lack of cohesion, poor ball handling, and poor execution of the basics meant we were making it harder work than it needed to be.

Half time words from super coach spelt out two main things:
- Get the driving patterns going, with a small drag out - from the runner and a half pass back into the dummy half to break the defensive flyer they were sending up
- Defence - need to push off the player in defence after you make the touch and use their momentum to help you get back on-side.

The second half saw more opportunities created to score but once again poor hands let us down. 1-keg had huge holes opening up on defence especially through simple drives through the midfield. The Shadows were making easy yards all the way to 1-keg 5m line, only to run out of idea's or bomb certain try's through poor handling. Over all though it was a great turn-out on the day, everybody had fun, and a good confidence builder going into next weeks last match of the round.

Special mention through out he game must be given to:

1) 'Su the Step' - Tsunami - for some great stepping to beat the first defender, however consequently had brain explosion and tries to step the next 5 players instead of capitalising on breaking the defensive line and taking a quick dump to set up his dummy half and the next passage of play.

2) David 'Hands like a digital watch' Teo - who would not have been able to catch a cold let alone the rugby ball during Saturday's game.

3) Andre, 'please run around me' Bartlett - who for the second time this season showed what a nice guy he is by allowing the opposition player with no space to work in whatsoever to run around the outside of him!
4) Paul 'check out my new haircut' Foster whose typical superb positive on the field attitude is an example to us all and far outweighs the factors that:
a) it what his first game and had no idea what was happening,
b) he tried to score a try on the 5m line
This weeks game versus the competition leaders will be much tougher. Defence needs to be much tighter which will be worked on tonight at training - see you there? Or be a.......

written by Axe

Try Scorers: Axe (2), Alex (2), Leow Wei Hong, Jonty

Shadow of the Day: 'Show-me-the-money' Axe

Dick of the Day: David Teo...hands down. Paul's confusion at the 5m did not even come close
....still no pic of David yet...so this will have to do...