We can't underestimate Ampthill who showed us at the end of last season at the mennaye that they are a dogged team and won't lie down.
This is a very important game for us as we need to get the win after 2 consecutive defeats.
I can't see us losing this one but it might be closer than expected. Keep the discipline and keep 'Sir' on side and we're more than half way there. The talent is certainly there and right through the squad and when we do 'click' someones in for a drubbing.
As usual set piece is the key. We got done over at line out and scrum over in Jersey, but showed brilliant spirit to come very close to getting something from the game. If we can get at least parity in the set piece we should be OK.
Unfortunately I couldn't make the game today but heard the 2nd half on the radio whilst driving home.
It sounded like a very mediocre performance with a number of unforced errors against a dogged Ampthill side.
Eventually we managed to retain possession and go through numerous phases to score the winning try.
Full credit to the players for staying in the game when things are not going well.
Gavin Cattle wasn't pulling any punches after the game with his assessment of the performance.
The players now have a week off which had been cancelled at half time before they return to training with a lot to work on before we play Coventry.
Very relieved we got the win, but it was a poor performance on the day. The penalty count was off the scale - problem 20+. The boys get a week off so hopefully come back refreshed and raring to go at Coventry.
Gavin Cattle highlighted a number of areas that he was unhappy with in his post match comments.
He was unhappy with the energy levels of the players particularly after they had been given an easier week in training.
He also identified too many players making poor individual decisions both in attack and defence followed by too many players going off script and then we loose our shape in attack and get turned over.
He sounded very frustrated and admitted there is still a lot of work to be done.
Very close call at the end of the day and as mentioned our discipline lets the team down so badly. I believe Officials realise the team commit so many penalties any minor infringement will be noted and the opposition will play to cause the penalty count go against the Pirates. The Mennaye was a fortress in the past and other teams have improved over time to make the league more competitive and we need to take this into account as well. We got a win and hopefully can carry this over at the next game which I believe the coaching staff would not have preferred the long break between the next match.
Robin Wedlakes try is up for try of the weekend on championship rugby.
It was a superb effort by the boys going through numerous phases to get the winning score.
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