Seagulls U7s 8 - 2 Lowestoft and Yarmouth (21-10-2007) Photos by and copyrighted to Lisa Scott What a turnaround from three weeks ago. Sadly L&Y could only field a team of 5 players, which no doubt played to our advantage as we had almost the entire squad (now 15!) to choose from. Although we played two matches to allow everyone a game, only the first 20 minutes would count on the score sheet. It took only a short while for the players to settle down and get into their rhythm of scoring a basket full of tries. Jake, Charles and Annabel all showed their true talent with some excellent side steps and fast running with the ball in both hands. On occasion there was some useful support play, but more of this will be needed against tougher position later in the season. Both handling and positioning has vastly improved, with all players becoming more ‘field aware’ – not like L&Y who amongst the confusion occasionally wanted to score on their own try line ! (Which way is North?) We realised the benefit of putting the opposition under pressure following set pieces, but still we lack the courage of our conviction in defence and must to commit to tagging in earnest and holding a defence line. When glory runs are not an option, we must use the line to get the ball out to the sides – some basic skills still to be learnt. Try scoring did become infectious in the second game too, and Sam also proved he is an obvious talent, with an excellent long run to score his first try for the Club. However in fielding a weaker Seagulls B Team, L&Y did come away with a 6-3 victory – they had pace too. That said, it was not without an excellent break from Joseph at the end, who made a cracking bust through the opposition and never once stopped to see if he might get tagged – another very well deserved first try for the Club. U10’s V Lowestoft & Yarmouth (21/10/07) An excellent all-round team performance, the forwards consisting of Joe, Jack & Jon dominated and won all of their own, and a majority of the oppositions lineout and scrums, this allowed good link play via Felix (who had a notable impact playing at scrum half), to feed clean attacking ball to Ben F, Gabriel, James and Ben S in the backs, to run at and through the oppositions defence. All contributed to good work at the breakdowns with positive and forward driving in the ruck and mauls which provided both ball retention and many turnover balls in our favour. In the first game tries were scored by Felix (2), Jack (1), Jon (3), Ben F (4) and our new lad this season, Gabriel (2). In the second game Felix (1), Jon (2), Ben F (2), Gabriel (1), Joe (2) and Ben S (1) scored tries. Albeit no tries on the day for James, his contribution was never the less equal to all with good positive runs and sound tackling contributing and assisting in many of the tries scored and the overall team effort. Game 1 = Seagulls 12 – L&Y 0 Game 2 = Seagulls 9 – L & Y 0