Year 7 - Rugby Match Reports

HARTON 29 | BARNARD CASTLE 0 [Saturday 18th November]

The final score was 29-0 to Harton. This was overall a much improved performance by the Harton Team. We attacked well in all areas and the handling and running skill levels were excellent considering the fact that some of the team are still relatively new to the game. The encouragement from players within the team was also great to see, we need to continue with this attitude going forward, well done to you all. I need to note that the scoreline does not reflect the effort that Barnard Castle put into the game. They played well and never gave up. The two main areas for improvement for us are as follows, I'm sure that you'll agree:-

• We need to get more people supporting the ball carrier, especially on the break. The amount of  times that Aiden, Callum, Johnny and Hackett broke free on the attack and had no-one to pass the ball to , was incredible. We are getting a bit lazy in this area when infact support is the most important area that we need to work on.
• We were getting to the rucks in numbers, however on occasions, we had five of us against two of them and we were not driving past the ball or hooking the ball back with our feet. The amount of times they simply hooked the ball back with there feet was again, incredible! I counted 12 occasions in the first half. After our half time team-talk, you all responded well and it only happened once in the second half. Well done.

Overall it was a great game to watch and referee. Again, well done and make sure we ALL work to put the wrong things right!

Mr  Brooks - Assistant Coach

HARTON 49 | DURHAM CHORISTERS 7 [Monday 6th November]

This was a mixture of year 7 and 8 players with some students playing their first game for Harton. We played some really good rugby with excellent ball retention and some fine handling and link play. Callum McGuigan was again prominent in the forwards, winning and securing a lot of possession. His tackling and direct running were also very pleasing to see.

Daniel Hackett got the ball away well and Jordan Carey led the backs well. What is also very encouraging is that both of our wingers, Ryan Wardale and Kevin Smith scored three tries each. This underlines the type of rugby we played. We must also congratulate our opponents, who were a very small side, for their spirit and the way they also tried to play quality rugby. A very enjoyable game to watch played in an excellent spirit by both sides.

Mr P Byrne - Head Coach

HARTON 50 | LORD LAWSON 0

This was our year 7 sides first ever game so it is always interesting to see what type of side they are going to be. Well they certainly didn't disappoint. The forwards despite a slow start provided a steady supply of good ruck ball, with Luke Moffett always in the action, which the backs used to good effect. Aidan Grant had an excellent first game capped with three tries. Daniel Hackett led by example, tackling absolutely anything and a constant thorn in our opponents side with his elusive running skills. However at scrum-half he may have to pass the ball a little more!!

Jack Blenkinsop and Jonathan Bell also tackled extremely well and ran the ball with purpose. Adam Newbrook really caught the eye with clever link play and some fearless tackling. A pleasing start but a lot of work still to be done. Fitness levels must be raised, particularly in the forwards, which will result in an improvement in our rucking. Handling skills need to be improved throughout the side as does our awareness of space. This will only be achieved with QUALITY practice, not just on a Friday evening but also in your own time.

Mr P Byrne - Head Coach

HARTON 17 EGGLESCLIFFE 7

This was certainly a game of two distinct halves. The first half our side were tremendous, effective rucking good tackling, purposeful running, and good link play. It would be unfair to single out any individual players as the whole team were exceptional. We thoroughly deserved to be winning 17—0 at half time.

A few changes were made at half time but this can be no excuse for the poor performance we put in during the second half. There was a lack of enthusiasm and a minimum amount of effort put in. We defended adequately, restricting our opponents to only one score, but we must have more pride in our overall performance and not just 25 minutes. Good sides try to play quality rugby all of the time not just when it suits them!! If fitness is a problem we can certainly start to put that right on a Friday evening.More difficult games await us and we will be on the wrong side of some nasty scorelines if we do not reflect on this performance and aim for quality rugby ALL of the time and have pride in our performance.

Mr P Byrne - Head Coach

HARTON 51 HURWORTH HOUSE 12

A much improved overall performance compared to our last game. We started a little slow but eventually got into our stride with some good rucking and support. The backs ran well but could have perhaps let the ball go wider on more occasions. Aidan Grant had another fine game with good lineout work and effective running. Callum McGuigan was again outstanding; does he ever have a bad game? Daniel Hackett was a constant threat at scrum-half and linked well with Adam Newbrook at Fly-half.

Fitness levels still need to be improved as does our organisation in both attack and defence. This will be achieved with quality training sessions.

Mr P Byrne - Head Coach