CLINICAL FINISHING NEEDED

MATCH PREVEW

We didn’t discuss it this season, but a focus for us on our previous two trips to Barnes has been to win the first 20 minutes. Historically, we have had some horrific opening quarters and last year’s first half was one of the worst in my coaching career. On Saturday, twenty-nine minutes in, we were seven points to nil ahead and had controlled possession and territory — exactly what we were after.
We allowed Barnes to score two simple maul tries before half-time and went in behind at the break, even though we felt we had enjoyed the better half. Scoring an early try to retake the lead set up the second half nicely, but we conceded shortly after and then again late on to leave empty-handed.
The real story of the game was our inability to back up the positive moments we created. We made five line breaks where we gained over thirty metres — something to be proud of against a strong defence — but on only one occasion did we maintain possession for more than two phases afterwards. That one time, we scored; against the best teams we must be more clinical and can’t afford to waste the opportunities we create.
We know statistically that we need to end our attack sets on a positive outcome more than 50% of the time to win. On Saturday, we were down at 30% completion, a number that only leads to one outcome.
The players have trained really hard this week and Tuesday was one of the best sessions we’ve ever had. But games aren’t won in the week; the only thing that matters is what we do once the first whistle goes tomorrow.
We welcome Sevenoaks to the Marine Travel Ground, who come off the back of losing by the same margin away to Esher. They, like us, will be looking for their first win and I expect nothing less than the usual competitive encounter this local derby brings every year.
Jimmy Walker makes his first appearance for the 1st XV after joining us a few weeks ago from Australia. Kurt Heatherley also returns to the side for the first time since injuring his shin back in February. I’m looking forward to seeing them both run out at Merton Lane and doing what they do best.
The Pilgrims came within the final play of winning their opening game in Regional 2. Ill-discipline cost them late on, with two yellow cards reducing them to 13 men in the final five minutes. A last-minute try from Battersea snatched victory away at the death. Before then, some strong attacking play had put them firmly in the driving seat.
They travel to Horsham tomorrow still searching for that first win. It’s great to see Garry Jones starting at 13 after missing preseason with a knee injury. He has trained well this week and is raring to go.

MATT CORKER, HEAD COACH