We lost to Mediterrani 4 – 9 at Amaya this week. The game was crucial for both Navarra and Mediterrani; each team requiring the three competition points to prevent from sliding down the ladder.

Mediterrani’s defence proved to be the deciding factor in this game. They were persistent with their press in the passing lanes on the deep wing positions. This usually resulted in our wing attackers playing on four metres rather than two; forcing the top perimeter attackers further out to eight or nine metres.

Obviously we then lost the ability to take dangerous shots from the perimeter because our players were too far from goals. Any passes delivered to our centre forwards were then easily contested; usually resulting in six on five counter attacks against us.

Our set and extra man defence was quite good. We only conceded two six-on-six goals and we defended seven from eight on extra. Our problem was counter defence. As stated earlier, we had many counter attacks against us from passes to our centre forwards. Mediterrani scored five counter attack goals and a penalty, which was drawn from one of their counter attacks.

Unlike previous games, the scoring was evenly shared today; there were no standout attackers, although it must be said that the game’s result was never in question. Before we put our first goal on the board in the second quarter, the score was already 0 - 4. Mediterrani were able to maintain a comfortable lead for the entire game.

It’s ironic, but I played one of my best games today. Had I not performed the way I did, I’m sure the score would have been worse. In the first half I played particularly well. I was able to stop a number of counter attacks, centre forward shots and extra man shots; including a one-on-none on Daniel Ballart. It was just unfortunate we were unable to put the points on the board at the other end.