Colts boss the last 20 to win

We had a ultimately satisfying day in the pouring rain with three tries in the last 15 minutes.

We had a squad of 22 with Ali Moore unfit with a foot injury following Saturday's school game.

Starting line up:

FR: Jordan M, Callum Sims, Charlie Harris
2ndR: Mattie Carey, Chris Wright
BR: Steve Eacott, Harry Jones, Ed Goodman
SH: Ed Tinney
FH: Harry Barnes
C: Eben Bacerra, Jordan Albert
W: Callum MacDonald, Charlie Stewart
FB: Cameron Hugo

The weather was very wet and windy from the start, we had the wind so went with territory kicking FH in Harry B. Hitchen started the best and winning the 50:50's and we didn't understand the ref's breakdown interpretation. Hitchen scored a try on 20 minutes strong after running and a lack of dynamic tackling. Ed Goodman was then sin-binned for contesting at the ruck in front of the posts. They converted the pen for an 8 nil lead.

The Colts despite winning our on set piece ball we were unable to put phases together. We were not aggressive or dynamic enough at ruck and maul. The backs with Eben Becerra, Jordan Albert and Harry Barnes who really put in a much stronger tackling performance kept Hitchen contained.

The first half ended with some territorial dominance but no score to show after playing with the elements.

At half time some substitutions were made: in the front row Will Moore and Ben Law replaced Charlie Harris and Callum Sims and in the second row Alex White and Bob Brownlees came on for Mattie Carey and Chris Wright.

The rain which had slackened off returned torrentially and the Colts struggled for field position but started to grow, dominating possession and rarely under scoring threat. The scrum really started to motor with 3 won against the head plus 4 or 5 completely disrupted and the gaining of the put in as a result.

The rain relented again Jack Fellowes-Prynne came on slotting in to 2nd row with White going to blindside. Ed Tinney started kicking well from the base of ruck and scrum resulting in a string of turnovers. After a great break by Harry J who brilliantly off loaded to Jack F-P who burst from the half way to the 22 before being hauled down by 3 or 4 Hitchen defenders the ball the ball was spread down the short side and Jordan A broke through a number of tackles to score in the corner.

The Colts sensed victory as Harry Jones and Goodman started breaking tackles and with go forward ball Alex W was making a real difference in the loose.

With set piece and loose ball dominance the ball was moved from the kick off down field via a penalty to inside the Hitchen 22. The line out was won by Jones, set well and with a slow drive and good ball management the maul rumbled forward, gathered pace and drove over the line and one Ed Goodman emerged as the scorer.

10:8 up and 8 mins to go. The kick off was well caught, set up and driven. The ball was passed wide (against my forward based "keep it tight mentality") Teddy Treble and Jordan Albert combined to make 40 to 50 metres, being forced into touch just short of the try line. Hitchen with the strong wind at their back kicked possession back and tried to mount some pressure. The ball was marked by Ed T and cleared, from the line out possession was won a box kick was well chased and the catcher challenged by Callum McDonald the loose ball was won on the floor and flicked out to Ben L aw who galloped the 30 metres to score and seal the win.

Overall a great last 20 mins but pleased to get the whole squad out and playing.

Thanks to Guy Pratt for running the forwards and James Obart guiding the backs.

Philip Fellowes-Prynne