A fantastic weekend of rugby at Holme | Post-game Views direct from the coaches
Friday night under the lights, and the 1st XV came away with the win.
"We started okay in the first five, ten minutes," said head coach Jay Henderson.
"Pressure took them into making a couple of mistakes." Towards the end of the first half, Reading found the shape they have been working towards. "We started to play a little bit more of the rugby that I want us to play, and we scored a really good try off the back of that."
Half time brought a very direct conversation about exactly what the coaches wanted from the side, and the lads came out and gave it to them.
"In the second half, structurally they played much more the way we wanted them to. Really, really pleased to get the win off the back of that."
Jay was equally clear about where this side stands at the moment.
"Loads and loads of work still to be done. Very excited for the season to start now. We're very, very early in the process."
Friday night under the lights at Holme Park, and the U15s were excellent against Henley.
"The most competitive I've seen from an under 15 side," said Gavin Smith afterwards. "We've got a small squad. Every player was out, every player really contributed. Just a really solid game of rugby."
Paul Boulard made the same point. "The pitches are really hard at the moment, so it's great to get everyone a game. Everyone enjoys playing under the lights against local rivals. Only a small squad, but they were working really hard." On the players, he was clear. "They all did really well."
Five of this squad are currently in the Bath Rugby Developement Programme. Gavin was also quick to say how strong the side is looking, and that Henley drew with Reading last season, which made Friday a good one to win.
The whole squad sat together afterwards, eating, enjoying their rugby.
The Kites played their first friendly game of the season at Holme to Richmond.
"There are a lot of positives I want to take away from today," said captain Ella Povey. "Our attacking structure was quite new to a lot of new players, so to see that actually function and work was really positive. Our line-out structure is brand new and a lot more complex, and we were a lot more successful. We had hookers who have never thrown before trialling it. The backs were doing passes and moves and actually trying new things, which I thought was really refreshing."
Head Womens Coach Sam Bowers saw it the same way. "Lots of people got game time in different positions. The girls worked hard for the whole time we were playing." At points through the middle of the game, he said, Reading tightened up and made their own opportunities.
He was keen to talk about who was out there. One player was making her first ever appearance in a game of rugby. A couple were playing their first game for the Kites. Another turned eighteen this week and spent the afternoon covering ground all over the park and making tackles.
"There are lots of new players around the squad, and players to come back in. Definitely lots of positives to take."
The Kites have moved across into the London league this season, where the game is played at a higher speed. "We'll adapt our game to that and play to our strengths," Sam said. "When we've got everyone available we've got good squad depth, and the opportunities are sky high for the group."
Selection is wide open. "People keep turning up to training and pulling out surprises that I'm happy to see. The squad can change week in, week out, and people have the opportunity to get into that squad. There's a good competitiveness within the group."
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