Nott much fun

So another game, another loss. Our season, which started so promisingly, is starting to look distinctly average with 6 games won, and 5 lost. .....  

On arrival at Lady Bay it was to discover that the game was effectively going to be played in a wind tunnel. Definitely one for the purists, and the opening skirmishes after Nottingham had kicked off were scrappy. Both sides were trying to play rugby but the conditions made it hard going. Yorkshire were playing into the wind and although breaks were made by Andy Forsyth and Jack Walker, Nottingham were equal to the task, and it was they who opened the scoring through Billy Robinson after 13 minutes.  We started to get in to the game and soon got ourselves level when Hodgson scored and then converted his own try. That was the end of the scoring in the first half – despite Doc’s best efforts, he made a great break after a turnover at the scrum, and kicked ahead but the Notts player just got there first to touch the ball down. 7all half time. 

Coming out second half, with the wind at our backs, I was optimistic that we could do enough. Nottingham had a penalty attempt from in front of goal, but the wind did not assist, and then a moment of magic from Taylor Prell who made a fantastic break from his own half. Execution let us down, but we did retake the lead after an attacking spell from a lineout took us close to the line, before Nottingham conceded a penalty which Hodgson kicked. 

Earlier in the season we scored a bucketload of tries from the catch and drive tactic, done properly it is very difficult to defend, which Nottingham proved as they retook the lead with a converted try.  We were becoming increasingly desperate as the minutes ticked away and substitutions were made. We had chances - Hodgson kicked another penalty in a swirling wind to take it to a 1 point game  - but we were almost trying too hard, and could not find a way through. 

So another loss.  This week we at least tried to play rugby, but that was mainly in vain, in a Force 10 gale. Like each of our losses, it was a game of fine margins, and for once I have nothing to say about the referee – which is how it should be. There were some good performances: Buzz was his ever reliable self, Lucock did well, Hodgson scored all our points (on a tricky night for accurate kicking), Prellis speedy and showed what he can do when he got some space at full back, and was the official man of the match. I have however, decided not to award a bottle of fizz to a player this week- instead I am giving it to the few diehard supporters who made the trip south. 

So where is it going wrong? Our players, man for man, are more than a match for the opposition. They clearly want to win. But collectively the team is currently less than the sum of its parts and our decision making at key moments is woeful. Throwing long twice at a lineout in the last few minutes when we had attacking positions and were chasing the game was poor. We look like we lack leaders on the pitch, but this is hard to comprehend given the players we have. 

I think the rotation system is not helping now, I personally would pick a strong team for the B&I games and get out of this losing streak. The old enemy Roth at home on 27th Dec would be a great time to start a winning League run.