Clifton RFC Colts forward Soul Jacas believed his side must improve their communication ahead of their upcoming GRFU U18 League match against Dursley on Sunday afternoon.
Jacas revealed: “The key areas of focus will be our attack and defensive line because previously, we have lacked communication, leading to errors in attack and missed tackles in defence.”
Dursley have had a promising start to the 2024/25 campaign, securing three victories out of four matches, with their only loss coming in the season opener.
The Gloucestershire-based side finished fourth in the league last season, so there is no doubt they will aim to go a step further and challenge for the title this time around.
Most recently, they displayed an impressive 20-8 victory over North Bristol. Jacas acknowledged the threat they pose but revealed how Clifton will prepare and improve heading into this tough contest.
“In training, we will be practicing the basics to minimise mistakes made in the game and work on our set plays according to Dursley’s style of play,” he said.
“We also need to focus on our individual abilities and to use other players’ skills to help us get past the game line and score.”
Clifton fell to an unfortunate 26-14 defeat away at Thornbury last Sunday, therefore, the Lavender and Blacks will be hoping to bounce back and put that result behind them this Sunday with a victory.
“We weren’t concentrating in the warmup, which led to us not being ready for a game,” said the young forward.
“Although Thornbury were beating us in the first half, we managed to score two tries in the second due to us getting our heads down and putting all of it into the last 15 minutes of the game, but to begin with, we weren’t communicating with each other, and we were playing as individuals.
Jacas added: “We were all disappointed in our performance and the score line. Our coaches told us to use this game as a reminder that we need to concentrate on how we play as a team.”
Despite falling short last time out, the Colts have begun the season relatively well, obtaining two wins on the board against Hucclecote and St. Brendan’s, which has resulted in them sitting third in the table with six points thus far.
“I think the key to success for us as a team is constant discipline throughout games, which involves us communicating and using each other’s skills to win,” admitted Jacas.
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