BERFC U16s vs Hitchin

Hitchin's grounds looked immaculate for our opening game of the season . Barnet have been training hard over the summer and that showed in the game today .

Opting to play a coached match of 4 x 15 quarters barnet started out very strong and didn't allow Hitchin to play the more physical game we have been dominated by historically .Indeed Barnet controlled the pace and played the sort of game we have been working on over the summer being strong in the rucks but conceding lost ball early and pressing hard .

Having Ross Forester back on the team made a big difference with a few dynamite runs which Hitchin were just not able to manage . Louis MacArdle was unlucky to score in the second quarter after a great pass from Jacob to Tommy at pace and indeed Allessandro was also unlucky not to score a try when in his words he "bottled it "5 metres out . That said Oscar Graham scored his first try for Barnet in the 3rd quarter after some solid rucking .
Given that it was a training Game Barnet tried some different formations in the third quarter which were less effective but Jacob Hofmann stepping back in at 9 secured some solid ball and got Barnet back on track .

On the whole a good performance all round . Thomas Newstead-Smith was award player of the day for some great strike running , tackling and sheer dogged determination . ( possibly inspired by getting his leg rubbed by a very helpful young Hitching Physio )

Other mentions to Charlie for some great tackling and solid stint at 9 , Dylan , Ted and Ross for some superb runs and anti jackal , Cameron for being aggressive and immense as usual , Albert for great rucking , Tom and Tommy for managing the central play and of course Oscar for his maiden try .

Looking ahead to next week Barnet need to control the game and slow it down if comms fail , forwards need to communicate lost ball , we need to work on our guards and pods but all in all much to be positive about .

Great job lads .