U12 Wgtn Axemen

This was our third game this year against this good Poneke team, 1-1 so far with this the tie breaker.

The forwards weren't particularly convincing in the first half and I think probably suffered from our recent run of high scoring matches, forgetting about the basics. We got pushed around in the scrum and didn't commit sufficiently in the loose. The running and passing from broken play however was once again very good, always looking dangerous. We were up 3 tries to 1 and halftime and in the second half the forwards tightened up and we gradually pulled away. Poneke scored a late consolation try but this was a convincing win to the boys and a really nice way to finish a successful season.

Tries: Isalei (3), Obeda (2), Moala, Prada, Dylan

Conversions: Luke (3)

Man of the match: Keila, who has been a steady improver late in the season.

Well, the boys are certainly on a nice roll at the moment.

Picking up where they left off last week, this was once again a really impressive display of running and passing. There has always been lots of talent in this side, but the difference in recent weeks is they are playing as a team, which is really stretching the opposition. 13 tries in all, and great entertainment for the crowd.

Most players stood out at some point, but special mention to Keila who made some telling runs, Rore who just keeps getting better, and Dylan, Isalei and Obeda who all ran well. New player Prada wasn't bad either, chipping in with four tries.

Tries: Prada (4), Isalei (3), Dylan (2), Tama, Obeda, Rore, A N Other

Conversions: Luke (6)

Man of the match: George, who worked really hard and had his strongest game for some time.

As the score suggests, this became a bit of a bit of a one-sided affair as the boys put on a good display of running and passing skills in heavy conditions. As the score mounted we did a good job of keeping our structure, and there really were some excellent tries scored, with the ball moved through the hands very nicely.

Tries: Billy (4), Tama (3), Isalei (2), Moala (2), Lui (2), Tom, Johny, George, Obeda

Conversions: Luke, Billy (3), George

man of the match: Tom, who has been a steady improver this year in the forward pack, and was rewarded with his first try today.

In awful conditions the boys put on a really good team display and were too strong across the park for a game but outgunned Newlands team. The forwards once again were competitive, and the backs pulled out their best display as unit this season, drawing and passing nicely - with Rore and Isalei in particular enjoying the space that was created. Lots of skills on display.

With the score mounting and the rain getting heavier, we finished the game 20 minutes early.

Tries: Tama (3), Moala (2), Isalei (2), Rore (2), Obeda (2), Luke, Morgan

Conversion: Luke

Man of the match: Isalei, who was given space on the outside and ran with great penetration.

In heavy conditions at Evans Bay park against a pretty handy Wests team, the boys were slow to get started in this match, didn't attend to the basics well and found themselves behind 12-17 at halftime. The forwards stood around too much expecting others to do the hard work, and the backs ran as individuals.

Things improved greatly in the second half however, we competed better in the loose and the backs ran with more penetration , and we gradually took the upper hand - eventually running in 5 tries to 3 to record a solid win.

Not our best performance this year, but a pretty good result against a competitive team.

Tries: Obeda, Luke, Dylan, Johny, Isalei

Conversions: Luke (2)

Man of the match: George K, who filled in from the U11s and was really strong in the rucks and mauls.

Cancelled

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 Not sure who that dreadful team was last week against MSP, but these boys could play!

After leaking an early try, the boys really stepped up and contested across the park. The forwards continued their steady improvement and provided a good stream of possession which the backs used well. The first half was very even, we turned around 19-15 ahead and then ran in 4 good tries in the first 15 minutes of the second half to run away with it. Our backs all ran well, with special mention to Obeda who once again showed his outstanding pace.

A nice turnaround after suffering a heavy loss to these guys earlier in the year.

A special thanks to the under 11 boys who backed up for us, and all performed well.

Tries: Obeda (4), Johny, Gianni, Lui

Conversions: Luke (5)

Man of the Match: Jasper, who has been improving his work rate each week, and is making a good contribution to our improving forward pack. 

This was a big wakeup call for the boys. MSP are certainly a good side, but we never stepped up and competed with them at all. We stood back and let them run, and run they did - all over us. Down 38-0 at half time, the second half was a slight improvement but overall we let ourselves down badly. We are drawn to play MSP again later in the season, so looking for a big improvement.

Tries: George

man of the Match: Rore, who is really starting to look good on the wing.

A good win and reasonable all round performance. Better passing through the backline, and the forwards kept fairly focussed in a game which was pretty loose. Notable performances from Tama, Luke, Moala, Conrad and Tom, as we ran in some good tries. Good to see Martin back from injury

Tries: Obeda (3), Moala (2), Tama (2), Conrad (2), Luke, Johny

Conversions: Luke (5), George (2)

Man of the match: Conrad, who in his first year of rugby is improving each week, and scored two good tries.

This was a bit of a mixed performance against a feisty Ories side. We stood back in the first half in particular, and let some of Ories big units run too much. After the solid improvement in the previous couple of weeks, our forwards unfortunately were too loose and it was all a bit untidy.

A much better performance in the second half though, as the lads fronted up much better and steadily gained the upper hand. Although it was tight right to the finish, we finished stronglyand ran out deserved winners. A special mention for Brent, whose received plenty of advice while refereeing but took it all in his stride.

Tries: Obeda (2), Tama, Dylan, Ben R, Johny

Conversion: Luke

Man of the match: Johny, who for the first time this year ran with real pace and purpose. 

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This was a great game of rugby, and the performance we have been waiting for...

Against a very good and previously unbeaten Jville side, the boys put in a really good committed team effort. Our forwards were excellent, particularly at the breakdown where we contested really well and won a steady stream of ball. The backs tackled well and ran hard. The score was close all the way through, it was 28-22 with 10 to go before we scored a couple of late tries to pull away to a well deserved win.

Tries: Billy (2), Luke, Conrad, Dylan, Lui.

Conversions: Luke (5)

Man of the match: Luke, who cleared the ball well at halfback, scored a try and kicked 5 from 6.

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A much improved performance in slippery conditions. Our forwards were good at scrumtime, good at lineouts, and much improved at the breakdown. The backs also stepped up, although the conditions made it difficult to run. It was pretty well balanced game throughout, we trailed by two points with time up on the clock, before scoring a good try off the final play of the game to sneak home - and the crowd went wild (our parents, anyway!)

Well done lads...

Tries: Obeda (3), Moala, Dylan

Conversions; Luke (2), Isalei

Man of the match: Dylan, who defended strongly and was always dangerous with the ball in hand.

Another mixed performance. We had some good moments but a lack of passion and enthusiasm meant we didn't win much 50/50 ball, and allowed Wests to make more play than we should have.

Some solid individual performances - Rore and Dylan both defended well on the wings, Morgan tackled well, and Isalei ran strongly all day. Still looking for a team performance however, and missing some spark at the moment. Perhaps next week...

Tries: Isalei(3), Dylan

Conversions: Luke (1)

Man of the Match: Rore, for excellent defence

The less said about this the better...

A very disappointing display, we showed little commitment and duly got spanked. Reyne and George both had strong games and fought till the final whistle, and Conrad had some good moments, but other than that unfortunately there wasn't much to get excited about. Hopefully some lessons learnt.

Obeda try, Luke conversion.

Man of the match: Reyne

Tries: Isalei(2), Luke, Obeda.
Conversions: Luke (2). 
Man of the Match: Isalei, for awesome tackling and strong running, two tries.
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A very good game of rugby against a well drilled Poneke team. We created plenty of opportunities, but in the end our ball retention in the contact was not good enough, we placed ourselves under a lot of pressure and Poneke capitalised on our mistakes.  We competed well to the end and were within a converted try of winning right to the final whistle, but in the end a deserved win to Poneke. 

Three early tries to Wellington, before Wests came back into the game through some good driving forward play before halftime. In the second half, our forwards competed strongly and with more ball, the backs were able to show their skills. Some great passing and running, and the forwards looked better and better as the game went on.

Good debuts for Reyne and Dylan who slotted in well.

11 tries overall - Obeda (6), Dylan (3), Johny, and Reyne.

Man of the match: jointly awarded to Keila for his excellent forward play, and Obeda for outstanding running and six tries.