The Saints in Blue & White claddings bounced back into form and earned a hard-fought win against a much-improved Zahira unit. In a tightly contested ping-pong game of nail-biting Rugby, both teams vied to outclass the other, mostly by playing some fast-running Rugby. However, when the clock struck, Joes found themselves ahead and thereby bagged their first win of the season, which should give them ample confidence in their next challenge vs Wesley in two weeks.
First up, Joes halved their penalty count from last weekend that enabled them a fair chance to play attacking Rugby. Secondly, but most importantly, they managed to bring down the ‘holding on’ infringements from 5 to a mere 1, which implies that they have trained and learnt to carry the Ball forward with adequate and timely support, which is going to be absolutely crucial going forward. Finally, they have also worked on proper cleanout techniques and the formation of Rucks, in order to curtail‘killing the ball’ infringements from 4 to 1, that would help strengthen their possession in the Rucks. One could only imagine how hard the coaching staff would have been working during the past week to turn things around so swiftly for the Joes. With all these basics corrected, Joes can now play Rugby as they are meant to, with utmost dominance!
Two things ought to be remedied and enhanced from this game, before taking on the tougher teams. First being kick-to-goal, as the Saints failed to sail the oval Ball through the giant Chopsticks on 3 occasions, that might prove life or death in a deadlocked encounter, not too far away in the future. Second, the defence for ‘pick and drive’ attacks have to be strengthenedas the lighter Zahira Pack managed to breach Joes’ line of defence rather easily, thus Royal’s massive and strong Forwards would have a field day at the present state. This enhanced skill will perfectly complement the already sharpened expertise of ‘pick and drive’ offensives, through which St. Joseph’s scored twice in this encounter.
St. Joseph’s beat Zahira 26-22