Strathaven U13s 12 - v - 32 Kilmarock U13s

With a few last minute call offs, Kilmarnock U13s travelled through to face their hosts with 15 players...however soon realised their hosts too had reduced numbers!

Playing a 10 a-side game to start with, Kilmarnock turned on the style and proved far too strong for their hosts, with fine attacking play in the centre of the park creating even more room on the wings, which was well utilised by well timed passes to release our speedsters into space.

The second game started on the same foot - although this time was a 12 a-side game, with Kilmarnock providing 2 players to the opposing team, with Ian Smith and Sami Duran relishing the opportunity to run at their team mates! Again though, Kilmarnock were far to strong and continued to press the home side, causing them to make mistakes which we used to full advantage. Again strong direct running throughout the team, controlled well from the midfield, created the opportunities which we duly scored from.

We did manage to start a third game, with scores for both teams, however the game was called short due to overbooking of pitches (another team desperate to get on) but also I feel, a bit due to the one sided game.

Forgetting the final 15 minutes against Whitecraigs, the last couple of games have shown just how much the team have developed. There is a fluency to their game, and partnerships are beginning to grow, alongside confidence. The boys are also starting to see the benefits from keeping their shape, especially in the back line. There is a better understanding that by attacking the defensive line and drawing in the opposition players, that with the back line intact, there is extra space out on the wings that we can, and often do use, to our advantage.

Our rucking this week was also impressive, with us competing and turning over possession on numerous occasions. What was pleasing was that the boys were not standing off, either picking up the ball and driving forward, or attacking using their back line from a pass at the base of the ruck. There were also plenty of tackles, or attempts to tackle this week, although we still need to do a bit of work in this area of our game.

All 15 players involved played well on Sunday. Sometimes its difficult as everyone wants to get their hands on the ball or receive a pass. Sometimes though, the hard work is done in and around the play, through pressing the defence, making the right tackle at the right time, being at the ruck and making sure the ball is won, or just being their in a supportive role to receive the pass if needed. The pass itself is also decisive, which if delivered at the right time, can cut open a defence and create the perfect scoring opportunity.

It takes a full team to win a game and that doesn't happen without teamwork...and boys working and playing for each other!

Our scorers this week were Brayden Dean (x6) and Kenzie Neilson (x3), with Thomas Dunlop converting 5 from 9.