Mikie Linch Trip Report #2

I got a pass from the ruck and broke a tackle at the advantage line then ran about 5 meters or so and stiff armed another defender, then I ran down the field about 10 meters and had a 2 on 1 against the fullback and I dummied him and then ran another 15 meters or so for the try. So I was able to get about a 30 meter try in New Zealand.

It was definitely the talk of the day after the game. I think it was the best try of the season so far and it might have been the longest so far. Then with about a minute left I had another 20-30 meter run and I passed to the wing and he almost scored but was barely caught before he scored. We played really well as a team and the team we were facing wasn't good at all. So I'm in a good mood after the game and am feeling really good about my try. Well that’s about it I'll keep everyone updated on the rest of the games this season.

Week 4
Week fours game against Frasier HS 1st XV went really well. We won in a close one 13-12. Throughout the whole game we were able to defend very well against a much larger team. We held the lead for the whole game after we scored the opening try in the 15th minute of so. We increased our lead to 8-0 after we converted a penalty goal and that was the score leading into halftime.

Quickly after the second half started we scored again but were unable to convert after bringing the score to 13-0. Both the try’s seemed to be identical. We kicked deep down field and our full back and winger’s chased hard, causing Frasier’s full back to misplay the ball and our full back only had to pick up the ball and touch it down.

Our defense held strong until Frasier was able to break our line in the 60th minute and they ended up scoring a well earned try, after about 5 phases inside our 5 meter line. The brought the score to 13-5 after they missed the conversion. Our team played inspired after that score. We were able to push them back in the tackles and retain the ball well.

However our defense collapsed when the referee had announced that we were on the last play and we knew we had won. We gave up a soft try during stoppage time but even after they converted we led 13-12.

As for me I played the whole game (making that 3 games in a row that I’ve played the whole game) and did alright. I didn’t play as well this week as last week but we were also playing a much better squad this week. I was able to steal the ball off their players a few times and I made all my tackles.

I was able to stop one of their players from scoring a try by stealing the ball off him right before he crossed the line. My scrummaging wasn’t as good as it was late week but I did fairly well. I’m still a little sick so I wasn’t really at the top of my game but I think I was still able to make an impact. Overall I still have some things I need to improve on but I played a good game.

Mikie Linch