The Datsuns this week showed that they have more than just one gear (ie fast) - their second gear is faster. A wonderful game of rugby was played on Saturday, but in the end, the Datsuns were able to pull out the victory song again this week, with a final result of 15 - 4. A scoreline like that might suggest that our opposition are on a steep learning curve - and to an extent that is true - but given we played them four weeks ago (for a 7 - 4 win) we have a basis for comparison. The reality is the Great Whites had improved in a lot of areas from the team they were when we played a month ago, the difference is that the Datsuns have developed a great deal as well in that time.
We had some stand out performances on Saturday, but the most notable was the improvement of everyone in the team. It isn't unfair to say that six or seven of our players had their best games of the season, and the rest didn't miss their best by much. Our backs did most of the scoring with Kodi, Tyreese, Jaimee, David and Ryeden all adding to the tally, although the forwards added some ink with Alexis (if Julian Savea is the "Bus", does that make Alexis the "Mini-bus"?). The best and most impressive thing about the tries we scored is that we got to score them because our forwards were doing an outstanding job of cleaning out the opposition. So on behalf of the try scorers (and coaches and supporters), I'd like to say a MASSIVE thank you to Joshua, Adam, Sam, Jorden and John for ALL lifting their games this week and making life tough for our opponents.
A few highlights from the game:
- David's seven tries are a new team record for a game, and came in a number of ways and many times off the back of the team efforts (with the odd one out of his bag of tricks). It wouldn't be fair though to forget a couple of try saving cover defence tackles which helped keep snuff out some of their best scoring chances.
- Adam's barn storming run down the middle of the park. It looks like that's becoming his signature move, although I suspect some huge tackles and ruck clean outs may be coming to a game near you soon!
- Jorden attacking the line and coming up just short. You showed improvement this week Jorden - keep working hard and getting involved and those short hard runs will turn into long hard runs!
- John played his best game of the season. He was a defensive beast creating chaos and cutting down the opposition here, there and everywhere. Keep up the outstanding effort John!
- Alexis continued to be a destructive menace at the tackle and ruck, making a number of his trademark surging runs out of the break down area. His 126m run for one of the last (or the last?) score of the match showed he can do it on both sides of the ball. 126m is the official estimate and no correspondence will be entered into.
- Joshua is one of the politest boys you could ever meet. Fortunately we're slowly getting some angry into him that he takes into the dark places forwards inhabit. He's learning that he can still be polite while he's knocking oppostion forwards out of the way and made some really effective plays on Saturday. Keep up the great effort Joshua and helping out your team!
- Kodi aka "the Flash". I'm still not sure if the world didn't turn on to x2 speed for that blistering, arcing run down the left touch line for his debut try of the season. A great chasing game and some big tackles from our speed machine.
- Tyreese aka "the Calculator" aka "Calc" aka "Rowdy" did what he does best with a number of strong, hard runs straight up the field and a number of strong, hard tackles to knock over his opponents.
- Ryeden continues to develop his game, and Saturday saw it go to another level. His accurate kicking from restarts (well chased by the Datsuns to make full use of the kicks), a well taken try and his passing made for a strong all round game from our pivot. Ryeden's pass to put away David for one of his try's was a stand out highlight from the match.
- Jaimee is talking more on the field to his team mates, and he's communicating using only his shoulders and the ground with our opposition. Always working hard on defense and running hard on attack with another brace of tries, he had another strong game on Saturday. Great work Jaimee!
- Sam had a career best game on Saturday. His work to get to the breakdown always meant our opposition had limited options, he had a number of tackle assists and even managed a strong run. The highlight though had to be his kick chasing - despite being outside of the top few in the team for speed, he showed that determination means a lot, often getting to the ball in the first couple of players in the team. Keep up the effort Sammy!
- The Datsuns. Keep improving that way lads and we're going to be a headache for a lot of the teams we play the rest of the season. See you all at practice on Thursday! (on time, eh coach).
Game summary:
Pak Great Whites 4 - Datsuns 15
Tries to: Alexis (3), Kodi, Tyreese, Jaimee (2), David (7), Ryeden
Player of the day: David
Tackler of the day: Jaimee
Sportsperson of the day: Sam
go... go... Datsuns... GO!!!
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