Colts Tough It Out at Teddington to win 14 - 0

Despite 4 or 5 cry offs last night and this morning due to injuries sustained during school matches we arrived with 16 players which included 3 U17's (Brandon Bowden, Harry Barton and Sam Ainsworth). Many thanks to them, all 3 played well with Sam especially showing great pace and attacking skill.

With the loss of Cameron Hugo, Teddy Treble, Jordan Albert to injury the back line required extensive changes with Bob Brownlees on the wing and Ali Moore at 12.

Despite being the better side we struggled to exert the control needed to really put the game to bed. The match was ref'ed by a 16 year old who actually was pretty good.

The first score was Alex White crashing over after some sustained driving play after a great break by Sam who was hauled down just short of the line. The forwards had 3 or 4 drives with Ben and Jack F-P sucking in the defence for the ball to be past to Alex who went thro the trailing arm to score Harry Barnes converted.

The game was littered with errors as the forwards slugged it out. The flankers Ben Law and Alex W were very strong in the tackle containing and knocking back their best player a large number 8 all game long.

Towards the end of the 1st half captain Will Moore was yellow carded for a swinging arm whilst getting out of a neck hold. The lad looked as if he had been shot.

We resisted the pressure for the 10 and mid way through the 2nd half Harry Jones broke down the left wing made 40 metres and slipped the ball to Sam A who beat the tackler for pace and scored the try. Harry B converted.

The Colts had another break with Sam nearly scoring again, a massive clearance at the ruck by Jack Fellowes-Prynne cleared the way for the score but the ball was spilled for a 22 dropout.

Teddington exerted pressure and due to the inexperience of Harry and Brandon at 9 and 10 we didn't clear our lines quite as effectively as maybe we should have.

The tackling and defence stayed strong which was a key feature of the day and the win was earned after the ref blew early as Ali M and their 12 were yellow carded for a late tackle and retaliation respectively. Well done Ali for what I thought was an excellently timed tackle/hit.

A long way there, a lot shorter having the win, on the way back.

Thanks to Mark Purdy fashioning a back line.

Philip Fellowes-Prynne