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Mud the big winner in Lugano
Alastair McCaig27 Nov 2024 - 17:06
Difficult conditions and numerous injuries de-rail U14s winning habits
Match Report 24.11.2024
The final tournament of the season saw the U14s in Lugano on Sunday. The snow in
the days before had helped turn the pitch into a mud-bath similar to that of the last
month, so we were prepared for another game being played less out wide and
shorter passing. Unfortunately, a couple of illnesses meant that we started the day
with only 11 players.
The first match against Zurich was very evenly matched and around halfway through
we were 2-1 up. At that point, we dropped down to 10 players for an injury check and
this was enough for Zurich to steal 2 tries against the run of play. The team fought to
the end, but unfortunately could not turn it around and we ended 2-3. (scores to be
confirmed)
The second match saw us pitted against the home team of Lugano. With the
persisting injury in our team, we started the game with 10v10, and Zug took again the
upper hand in the first half. Some moving the ball out wide, looping within the backs
and some strong rucking was proving successful. Like in the first match, we again
had another injury and were down in the numbers in the back half of the game which
was the break that Lugano needed to get themselves ahead and steal the match x-x
(scores to be filled in).
Game 3 vs Bern saw Zug requiring 3 support players from the other teams to make
up a team of 11 from the get-go. This did not dampen the spirit of the Zug players
and they continued to give their all - committing to the tackles, moving the ball out
wide and fighting at every break-down. The non-stop action in tough conditions with
no substitutes meant that the day was taking its toll and we managed to lose another
player to injury. A player down for the final part of the game was just that stretch too
far and Bern managed to run in with a last-minute win x-x (scores to be filled in).
The injury count was now adding up and our final game vs Basel was a mix of 5
“Remaining” Zug players,6 from Zurich and 1 from Bern. A real Barbarians team who
gelled well together. Playing to the strengths of the mix of our players and running
hard at the line, we managed to close the day on a high with a final win x-x. (scores
to be filled in).
Fighting to the end, with teammates “dropping to injury” in each game, players having
to play out of position throughout the day and start the day “under-staffed” showed
just what spirit the team has and the flexibility each payer showed in trying out new
positions without question and giving their all.
We might not have closed the season with a tournament win on the scoreboard, but
it was certainly a win for the players in their resilience and development, proving that
“when the going gets tough, the tough get going..”
Well done to all, we wish all our injured players a speedy recovery and we look
forward to seeing you all in the new year…
The final tournament of the season saw the U14s in Lugano on Sunday. The snow in
the days before had helped turn the pitch into a mud-bath similar to that of the last
month, so we were prepared for another game being played less out wide and
shorter passing. Unfortunately, a couple of illnesses meant that we started the day
with only 11 players.
The first match against Zurich was very evenly matched and around halfway through
we were 2-1 up. At that point, we dropped down to 10 players for an injury check and
this was enough for Zurich to steal 2 tries against the run of play. The team fought to
the end, but unfortunately could not turn it around and we ended 2-3. (scores to be
confirmed)
The second match saw us pitted against the home team of Lugano. With the
persisting injury in our team, we started the game with 10v10, and Zug took again the
upper hand in the first half. Some moving the ball out wide, looping within the backs
and some strong rucking was proving successful. Like in the first match, we again
had another injury and were down in the numbers in the back half of the game which
was the break that Lugano needed to get themselves ahead and steal the match x-x
(scores to be filled in).
Game 3 vs Bern saw Zug requiring 3 support players from the other teams to make
up a team of 11 from the get-go. This did not dampen the spirit of the Zug players
and they continued to give their all - committing to the tackles, moving the ball out
wide and fighting at every break-down. The non-stop action in tough conditions with
no substitutes meant that the day was taking its toll and we managed to lose another
player to injury. A player down for the final part of the game was just that stretch too
far and Bern managed to run in with a last-minute win x-x (scores to be filled in).
The injury count was now adding up and our final game vs Basel was a mix of 5
“Remaining” Zug players,6 from Zurich and 1 from Bern. A real Barbarians team who
gelled well together. Playing to the strengths of the mix of our players and running
hard at the line, we managed to close the day on a high with a final win x-x. (scores
to be filled in).
Fighting to the end, with teammates “dropping to injury” in each game, players having
to play out of position throughout the day and start the day “under-staffed” showed
just what spirit the team has and the flexibility each payer showed in trying out new
positions without question and giving their all.
We might not have closed the season with a tournament win on the scoreboard, but
it was certainly a win for the players in their resilience and development, proving that
“when the going gets tough, the tough get going..”
Well done to all, we wish all our injured players a speedy recovery and we look
forward to seeing you all in the new year…
Further reading