Bangalow Rugby Club

What a game. The Mighty under 8’s hit the paddock with enthusiasm and commitment.

Down a player with a sick Angus Farrand, the remaining players had to step up to the plate and defend a well drilled Lismore side with over 20 players.

Lismore has a long history with Rugby and it showed last Friday night, however the Mighty 8’s from Bangalow were not phased by mere reputation. This is a new era and reputation means nothing when your 7 years old. Does it ?

The game was played with a skill level that made this old coach very proud. The tags were quick, the line was protected and the boys moved forward as one with each successive phase.

Will Nash had a top game and scored three tries with a step and a swerve that will be sought after in years to come. I make a prediction that young Will will be a valuable player in any sport he takes on. Callum had a great game showing excellent defense skill by moving up quickly as needed. Ben played hard as usual and was always calling for the ball in attack. Zahi also played a great game combining with Keelin and Finn to move the ball in attack.

The boys have shown me that they do listen at training and with some more training, I am sure we will master the “pass and catch” real soon.

Congratulations boys on a fantastic game and for the the estimated crowd of over 100 parents and supporters it was a delight to watch to.

The game was fair and Lismore were put on notice, do not underestimate Bangalow.

Well done boys and see you at training Tuesday as next week before we take on the Ballina side at Ballina at 5.45 pm on Friday.

Our under 12’s game against a very strong Lismore side was really a game of 2 halves. In the first session we just couldn’t get started. Lismore saw this and ran in lots of very easy scores which won them the game. We spent lots of time chatting amongst ourselves, playing without purpose. We simply weren’t focussed.

At half time we said, let’s concentrate on tackling and let’s help each other. After another Lismore try we scored one and suddenly our tails were in the air. We started believing. We didn’t give up. Then we scored again and we were in the hunt. They finished on the bell with another.

We celebrated our great second half effort with an after game team photo. Ruthie can send you an email copy. Next week we’re against Ballina, we’re very close to them on the ladder. Should be a great game!

The 12’s are a new squad, we’re learning rugby and having fun. It’s special that most of us will still be together as under 12’s next year. We are moulding friendships and learning skills which will be of tremendous benefit in 2011. That’s rugby!

At the current rate the under 14s will have more players on the side line than on the field. On Friday night there were 6 players out with illness or injury and another 2 unavailable to play, taking our squad of 22 down to 14 able to take the field. That would have made it hard to win against any side, but impossible against top of the table Lismore, especially at their home ground. But the old rivalry with Lismore brought out the best in our remaining players and we put on a strong performance that showed real spirit. The forwards were strong and disciplined, dominating the scrums and giving no ground in the rucks and mauls. The backs did everything that could have been expected against a stronger, bigger and faster opposition. With such a severely depleted side we did well to hold Lismore to 32 points.

At the end of the game they were worried that they had failed to take control of the game and we knew that, when we have a full strength side again, we will have the capability to beat the competition leaders.

Notable performances on the night included those from Angus (‘Now I know what a mark is’) Page at fullback, ‘Rampaging’ Rory Wilson and Lachlan (‘The Switch’) Walsh in the centres, Mitch (‘It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog’) Shepherd on the wing, Matt (‘Flat on his back, thanks Max’) Phillips at halfback, Jake ‘Comprehensive insurance’ Brumley in cover defence, and Carl ‘Tightheads’ Karlholm at hooker.