Rugby Union: Donald Hayes pleased as Uttoxeter show true colours

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UTTOXETER director of rugby Donald Hayes says his side had provided a season’s high point in last weekend’s victory over Market Drayton.

The win against the Midlands Three West North strugglers might have been expected, but it was the manner of the display which pleased Hayes.

Uttoxeter scored three tries as they ran out 31-19 winners on home turf to set themselves up for this weekend’s visit to local rivals NEWCASTLE.

“The first half was an epic performance. We did all the basics five times better than any other point in the season to date,” said Hayes.

“We took total control of the game and the dominance at the collisions gave us the platform for that control.

“Market Drayton always like to dominate the contact area, but in the first half we gave them nothing.

“It was a wonderfully satisfactory first-half display.

“In the second half we fell away and the main cause for this was fitness. This gave Market Drayton the foot hold they were looking for and they kicked on.

“We managed the game well and took the easy points when they were gifted to us, as we kept the scoreboard ticking over we ensured that we kept Market Drayton at arm’s length.”

Uttoxeter’s win kept them in mid-table as they attempt to build on that success at Newcastle.

Newcastle’s hopes of finally ending their promotion hoodoo have hit the buffers recently with three defeats in their last four outings.

Last week’s 29-17 defeat at Shrewsbury left them 11 points off second place and with plenty of work to do if they are to bring an end to their third-placed finishes.

They will, however, take confidence from the fact they beat Uttoxeter 30-20 in the cup over the festive period and will be eager to transfer that form into the league in order to keep their aspirations of making the step up alive in the second half of the campaign.

Article source: http://www.supersport.com/rugby/six-nations/news/140115/Fife_Fusaro_get_Scotland_nod

Rugby Union: Donald Hayes pleased as Uttoxeter show true colours