Brush rotation system sweeps to away victory
By Almo
September 14 2015
Carnegie beat a determined Rotherham side 20 – 11 in the Clifton Park sunshine to record an away win against opponents who beat us both home and away last season. The Carnegie team had been “shuffled” since last week, with last week’s replacements given a starting berth. With apologies to Hoover, this is what I call the Brush Rotation System.
Arriving at the ground – no easy feat as the Rotherham Show was also on at Clifton Park – it was good to see Fred “Eric” Burdon in the commentators’ roped-off area of the stand, alongside Gareth Jones. It was the Titan’s first match of the season at their spiritual home and for the second week running playing conditions wereabsolutely perfect for running rugby – but would we see any?
The match started with what seemed to be a charitable gesture by the referee, a penalty for Carnegie in front of the posts and Leonard duly obliged with the kick, carrying on from the unerring accuracy of last week. Then Rotherham determination prevailed. Under pressure, we gave away a penalty that Roth kicked as a drop goal in their free play advantage. Then another penalty and we were losing 6 – 3. Scrums have at this point become huge affairs, with both sides locking horns and although Titans won one penalty, the scrums are pretty evenly matched. Other than scrums, the play was disjointed; both teams electing to kick-chase, but neither particularly good in the execution. So no pattern to the play, but then suddenly Lee Imiolek won the ball from Titans lineout, and Carnegie get a penalty. We kick for the corner, maul and Wacker gets over the line. Faultless kicking from Leonard means it is now 6 – 10. Lots of grunting and kicking but both sides are a little bit out of sorts with their back play and this remains the score at halftime.
So is the brush halftime hairdryer experience needed this week? We have not been good but lead the scoreboard and our scrum is slowly but surely getting the upper hand.
The second half starts in a similar cagey manner, but our ascendency in the scrum is growing to the point that we are taking them against the head. Nine minutes in, our props are “rewarded” for winning against the head by being replaced by Beech and Tideswell. Inevitably we get a scrum penalty, dead-eye dick makes it 13 – 6, we are now a converted try ahead. Time for changes (part of the BRS system, I think).Fitzpatrick comes on for Lucock and subsequently makes the only serious line-break of the game. It is also clear that our forward replacements are at least as strong, and a good deal fresher at this stage, than our starting forwards, something Titans cannot live with and our forward dominance increases.
After 31 minutes the inevitable happens: we get a scrum penalty, kick to the corner, maul and Charlie Beech scores, making it 6 – 20 when the conversion is successful.We come close in the remaining minutes but it is Rotherham that score an unconverted try after a “crossing” that everyone in the ground saw except “Sir”.
Final score 11 – 20 and what have we learnt?
We are absolutely brilliant at mauling
Our scrum is pretty good too
Our backs lack the cohesion we have seen before, only Fitz made a line-break
Our kick-chase needs more practice, too often we kicked too far ahead
Leonard is a first-rate place kicker, if a bit predictable with ball-in-hand whether passing or kicking
Despite perfect conditions for running rugby, no, we didn’t really see any
Rotherham is not an easy place to win, but we have a team that can grind out wins
We have a solid defence
Our discipline was much improved from last week
The high quality of our replacements really makes a difference at this level
This Carnegie team is “Work in Progress” and today’s play was far from faultless but if we can win without playing to our potential, then we can only get better.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:09:25:05:23:40 by Wildwillie .
What is alluded to here and on other threads is our change in style. I have already said on another post it is something we are just going to have to get used to. We can't expect our backs to fire when they hardly see the ball I'm afraid and that was evident again yesterday.
You stated "Our kick-chase needs more practice, too often we kicked too far ahead". Spot on observation. I would add that the enthusiasm for the chase bit was somewhat lacking. I'll bet Stegman is wondering what he's come to. We've gone from being one of the most attack minded teams to quite the opposite. Bet that isn't what he signed up for - chasing up and unders all afternoon !
However, we can't have it both ways. It's clearly a case of results or entertainment so take your pick.
Get to specsavers.
Then
Yes, we played all of the attractive rugby. Leeds mauled it for a while. Then they mauled it a bit more. Then they carried on mauling to the end.
They won. But it's hardly surprising that there were almost none of their supporters who bothered to make the short trip to watch them - it's not very exciting.
I've never seen so many new YC faces Roth (and there was a few of us there) - another one needing glasses. But I bet many won't go again as some of the Roth supporters are just plain obnoxious - it's not the most pleasant experience.
I went to Clifton Lane when we played them between Christmas and New Year in 2006 and it was one of the most miserable afternoons I've spent, despite us winning. Couldn't see a thing, pitch was a mudheap and the death burger stall had run out by half time. I can't recall the fans being a problem but I have never felt inclined to return. The only good part was the pub across the road. Their supporters who post on Rolling Maul frequently moan about Headingley (usually referring to tumbleweed) and I would be the first to say that it can seem to be lacking in atmosphere (not to mention decent ale) but at least you can see what's happening on the pitch.
If I had all the money I've spent on drink ..... I'd spend it on drink.
I was wearing the Carnegie replica (home) kit and found nearby Roth supporters polite. On the way out I was stopped by a Roth supporter.....who wanted to give credit to our team, saying how much we had improved since last year.
Clearly Headingley and Clifton are like chalk and cheese and some people prefer the homely comforts to the big but nearly empty stadium environment and I respect their opinion.
Played 2, Won 2 and signs of intelligent in-game decision making i.e. the backs aren't functioning today so we'll keep it in the forwards and win the game that way.
Bodes well for a very successful season and I'm really looking forward to attending my first game.
Good write up Almo.
We are looking a little one dimensional. The ball was booted with such regularity I'm surprised it had any leather left on it at the end.
But then, who won.
When it comes to play off time you have to have more than a big pack and a rolling maul in your armoury - ask Bristol !
If I had all the money I've spent on drink ..... I'd spend it on drink.
Quote:farmertyke
They do a very good cow pie and peas possibly better than Donny cow pie. ;
Much better than Donnie's and yesterday's was one of the best ever!
What annoys me with their fans is they can dish it out but not take it. Nowt against them but don't give banter if you don't want any back - especially of the pot, kettle & black variety!
We know Roth are not fans of ours for numerous reasons, another thing I'm not bothered about. The team are behind Brush and buy into him (a change from last year) and we have a dominant pack who will give the backs the chance when they are up to speed.
9 points from 2 games is brilliant for us and we'd have taken it. I can guarantee you this, if Roth had got the win from mauling they wouldn't be complaining.
Exactly right Rocky
[www.arborfieldoldboys.co.uk]
If I had all the money I've spent on drink ..... I'd spend it on drink.
The pitch looked in great nick ( think it was their first game there?)
And the sign outside calling us "Carnegie" makes me smile.
We know we'll always have a tough game there- I'm just happy to get the win, however it was achieved.
On to Ealing!
sent off carried off never backed off
This year our forwards seem a lot stronger and more resilient than before. Once we have a few more wins under our belt, I expect to see more of our backs.
Two wins and 7 tries in first 2 matches. A solid start - green shoots definitely appearing.
I'm afraid it goes back a lot further than that Hymie! The London double header, against Glaws etc etc. So let's be cheerful that we're where we want to be and things are looking up again.
I'm not sure what some posters are getting at though. Clearly not the execution-squad for anyone who lets the ball get as far as the #10 style of play under Back and 'bring-the-touch-line-in 5 meters-on-either-side'. All the good Prem sides use their centres and will go for the jugular with the back 3 if they spot a mis-match or lack of numbers. Style isn't an add-on, there's no option to play a 10-man game anymore.
I disagree on this the prem has teams playing different styles , some (bath) are playing
the sort of rugby we have tried to play under de & jlo , others are more structured ( or boring depending on your point of view). in the championship most of the successful teams (promotion wise) have opted for big packs ,safety first grind em down rugby imo.
We are making a real effort to get promoted before the new boards money runs out so that's the path we have chosen.
The next game would be a chance for us to play with some more width no disrespect to ealing but we should be too strong for them.
I enjoyed the game to be honest. I liked not giving away pens and our players rolling away. The pitch looked great and where i was stood was a little sun trap, lovely.
Winning is what matters