On Sunday, we were ready to face Mount Saint Joseph’s. Prior to the match, Head Coach Jean-Louis Moures calmly explained what the Exiles needed to do to put this game. One point of emphasis was quick ball movement to keep the bigger Mount Saint Joe’s team off balance ...

... less than one minute into the match; Jean-Louis’s game-plan paid off. After a series of crisp quick passes that included forwards and backs – Aiden Perrenoud fed the ball out in a millisecond of touching it; and two passes later winger Siya Dalton raced in to open the scoring. The Exiles kept this pace up for several minutes. Loose head Adam Tounkara ended up with the ball and some open space. He had some options with a wing out to his right in support; he chose to power it in as his first contact came 10 meters from the try line and he was not to be denied. Second row Kyle Wilson had been very active in defense and attack dishing balls out to supporting players but then he too found himself with the ball and a bit if space and took it in. A penalty near the end of the half allowed Mount Saint Joes to kick for touch and gain some critical ground. A second penalty then allowed them to do a quick tap – and our defense still running backwards to get on-sides – result a relatively easy try for MSJ and the half ended 17-7. Need to maintain situational awareness on the pitch and immediately retreat 10 when a penalty is called against us – stay focused and ready for quick plays.

The beginning of the 2nd half started the way the 1st half finished. A costly penalty at the 48 SECOND mark; MSJ’s does a quick tap and 14 seconds later they score. 17-12. Time to wake up, and wake up the Exiles did. Around the 3-minute mark, MSJ was penalized and scrum half Ryan Hunt did a quick tap with the ball exchanging several Exiles hands – prop Adam Tounkara ended up with the ball for the try 17 seconds after the tap. At the 9-minute mark; MSJ lost the ball out of bounds and an alert Siya Dalton recovered the ball before anyone could on the sidelines could touch it and did a quick throw in to inside center Nathaniel Turak who raced down to score from near the 22 flag. Very heads up play! By hustling, they prevented anyone from touching the ball which would negate a quick throw in, and also the defenders never had a chance to get a guy to the line out to set it or to even defend. The scoring was closed out by an encore by Nate, this time the try assist coming from George Fournarakis. After an SJ penalty, George quickly tapped the ball and passed to Nate who crashed in for the final score. I think Nathaniel needed those two trys to make up for all the missed conversions but he still may have some catching up to do

A player did have a question before the game; “What’s wrong with keeping the ball if crashing through the line is working?” Hopefully, this game answered that question. Crashing the line is always an option but should not be relied on. Even when successful, crashing the line too often results in a temporary territorial gain followed by a loss of possession. Much better to run when you have space and not into contact, even the big guys. This opens up options and leads to scoring in bunches. MSJ was solid with their set pieces but that only led to one score, forwards and backs working together passing the ball then choosing the right moment to sniff the try line and force it down will or dishing it out to a supporting player who can walk in untouched for a try will make the bigger teams succumb.

Not much else to add, excellent effort. When we played our game; we scored. When we lost focus they scored. But the score reflects what a great performance you all put on as a team.

As usual, if any factual errors let me know and will correct the record.