Mmmm... A Bad Day At The Office?

Given some sensational individual and team performances (as well as some great results) by the U15 Sharks of late, a mystifying match... It's not whether you get knocked down that's important though, it's whether you get up.

Firstly though, high praise indeed must go to the U15 Sharks opponents, North Walsham. There is no such thing as a bad North Walsham side and after, by their own very high standards, a disappointing start to their season they have knuckled down, worked incredibly hard and, very much to their credit, have turned it all around. They have now strung some good performances and victories together.

North Walsham came flying out at the U15 Sharks right from the off and never stopped. They were a terrific example of how important it is for everybody to compete for everything, everywhere, right from the first whistle to the last. Their task was made much easier though, by the fact that this, for whatever reason, was not the sort of team performance that has earned the U15 Sharks the admiration of so many and all those plaudits this season.

This was a wake up call - against teams like these you simply have to kick on, you can't and must not rest on your laurels. The thing to remember, is that this U15 Sharks squad is a helluva lot better than that performance! Learn from and correct the mistakes sure, but remember - you are in a sweet spot and no one (including North Walsham) doubts your ability to easily put this match, that result and those mistakes behind you!

On a positive note, it was very refreshing to see such an honest appraisal by the U15 Sharks of where things had gone wrong / what had gone wrong at the end of the match - not something we have had to do a lot of. Learning from and rectifying mistakes is all part of the game - provided you do learn from your mistakes! Never be afraid of making a mistake, if you don't try new things you won't improve.

There is a lot of rugby to come yet this season, so a favour to start please gents. Could you correct one persistent mistake - giving your opponents a head start. It really isn't the case that it is too much fun not to repeat. You have no control over what the other team or its players do, but you do have control over what you do.

If ever the U15 Sharks needed proof that this is not a great habit, then think about this match against a quality side. Whilst North Walsham might have been short on self belief earlier this season, by the time the U15 Sharks had given them three tries of a start, they were absolutely brimming with self confidence, belief in their own abilities and had really raised their game.

As ever, some fabulous and crucial last gasp tackles as well as some good runs were made by U15 Sharks players. Whilst this was absolutely fabulous to see, far too often those tackles were having to be made only because the opposing player had eluded three or four other tackles. If a team wants to intimidate you physically and you let them, they've won! If he is your man, next time you are in that position, be very, very sure to bring him down.

The strange thing about this performance was that certain aspects of your game that have long been a strength, simply weren't. As you discussed, the rucks were a particular weakness on the day, a big surprise given your previous performances. Similarly, you stood off your opponents far too much, allowing them to take the game to you rather than what the U15 Sharks usually do, which is to take the game to their opponents.

Haven't this week detailed great tackles by individuals etc. for obvious reasons. Will mention Alex Hood though, who has impressed everybody this season since he joined the Sharks. It was fantastic to see him step up and score what I think was his first try for the Sharks! It is no more than Alex deserves given his terrific performances and committment this season.

It doesn't seem as if Alex is a new player this season - to their great credit, it feels as if he has been firmly established with the squad forever, as are others such as Fraser. This seasons latest recruit Joe Connor made his debut in that baptism of fire Sunday and I would like to take this opportunity to welcome him on behalf of the U15 Sharks. It is fabulous to have a squad of players at this level.

When those great tackles went in or when the try was converted, it was a relief to see a smile on your faces as the most important thing, by a long, long way, is that each and everyone of you really enjoys your rugby. It shone through that having run into a wall, you weren't about to turn around and give up - you were going to figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Your character as an outstanding bunch of young men, even after a tough defeat such as that, continues to impress!

Final thought, be it in the next match or the next training session, don't worry about making mistakes, learn from them, fix the mistakes, believe in yourselves, try things and enjoy your rugby!! As he said it much better than we ever could, am going to repeat what Michael Jordan said on the topic: "I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."