Bristol Academy win warm up friendly in style

Another score
By Duncan Wood
August 18 2002

The Bristol Shoguns Academy kicked off their season with a friendly at Keynsham this afternoon. They played with some style, running in several very impressive scores in what was a promising start.

The U21s played their first warm up game this afternoon at Keynsham in preparation for the defence of their league title. They are trying to win it for an incredible fourth season in succession.

For those who follow the U21s regularly, it was a slightly unfamiliar looking lineup. There were a few faces left from last season's squad but also plenty of new players.

Despite the new faces, it was actually a very cohesive performance. I'm afraid that I'm not in a position to name individuals as there were so many new players but three things stood out from today's game.

The first was the cohesion. Considering that this was their first game together, there was some really impressive passages of play strung together and some of the tries were the result of great teamwork.

Second was the commitment to defence. This may have been the first outing of the season, but no-one was going to cross the line. The organisation was impressive as was the tackling.

Third was the clinical finishing. I don't remember them spurning a chance. When they created a chance, they finished it off. The lines of running, the passing and the support play were very good. There also seemed to be plenty of pace in the backs.

I don't recall the final score but plenty of tries were scored, the pick of them being a length of the field affair when a Keynsham chip through was gathered up on the Bristol line. The ball was moved across the face of the Bristol posts before the move was straightened up and the score run in from halfway.

They've got a lot to live up to based on the last few seasons but the Academy made a promising start today.