Mini Colts A 15 Claires Court 17

Tries: Iantot D, Will R, Ollie L.

This was a game that got away in which we showed tremendous passion and commitment against a well drilled streetwise opposition. We started the game playing into the wind and managed to work our way up the pitch methodically, allowing Iantot D to storm round the blindside to score. Sadly we then lost our defensive shape and lacking line speed allowed one of their large forwards to crash over. We retook the lead with one of our best tries of the season, punching holes in the midfield before a break by Beau B, allowed swift hands by Ollie L to put Will R in the corner. The lead did not last long as a missed tackle allowed them to score another unconverted try leaving the half time score at 10-12. Playing with the wind we showed good game management and a wonderful cross-kick from Beau allowed Ollie to score a try of his own, again unconverted. It was now that we should have played smart rugby to keep the oppo at bay but a poor kick chase exposed a huge blind side allowing them to retake the lead in this topsy turvy encounter. The last five minutes came and we hammered away at their line with strong runs by our forward being repelled by superb defence. Tactical naivety and some hot-bloodedness meant that we turned down an opportunity to kick a penalty from in front with the wind. In retrospect it was probably the coaches’ fault not to deluge the playing surface with kicking tees at that moment…

Congratulations to Claire’s Court for a magnificent defensive effort. The boys will have learned a huge amount from the game about themselves, about the need for passion combined with levelheadedness, and about never switching off when things are going well. It was a privilege to play on the Upper with a great crowd, something many of this team will hopefully become accustomed to in the future.