DMP U10 Fantastic in Opening Match

What a match! 18 DMP U10s turned out for this opening fixture. Hartlepool Rovers were great opponents managing to play four even matches with 8 players. Before kick off the Rovers coach requested some support and coaching as he was in awe about the skill and power of DMP.
DMP showed excellent sportsmanship allowing games to be punctuated with coaching tips as Rovers learnt about rucking, scrumming and mauling. DMP players rotated without anyone complaining and Jonnie helped out Rovers: great sportsmanship. Alfie won man of the match for demonstrating great rucking and support play and Arthur showed speedy interventions to ruck over and win possession. Oliver was tackling and rucking well as was Jack.James footwork was fantastic as was Danny and Euan's speed. Ellie suddenly developed a persistent forward drive making yards every time she had the ball. Faith did the same. Jonnie maintained his high standards set in this season and Callum and William, William playing after a cast was removed, showed strength as did Aodan. Grace and Connie supported well. Joshua was sound. Aodan showed excellent sportsmanship by denying himself and Mowden a try when he admitted an accidental forward pass. Indeed the whole DMP team made less mistakes than Rovers and when they did they were accidental rather than not understanding the rules. Each scrum was done well by DMP and Rovers soon learned from them and that they shouldn't be contesting yet. Freya was finding her feet and joining in. George and Dan looked like they'd played at least a season before, not just since September. There was 99% respect for the coaches, referee and opposition and good teamwork. Enthusiasm meant sometimes more than 2 were in the maul, the urge to score meant teamwork was forgotten when perhaps it would have made a quicker try and disappointment occasionally showed when the referee had to make touch and try decision without the use of painted lines.
We can improve further on discipline, especially keeping the defensive line. Harrison started this with cries of "feet, feet, feet" that some didn't follow: they must have heard! Harrison was tackling like he never had before. We can improve at tackling: "eyes on the tight" and not the ball or waist so we go in lower but we're not international yet.
I was extremely impressed and pleased I was playing against DMP U10s! I would have run away!