The Colts win Herts Cup to crown excellent season with 27:7 victory

Bishop's Stortford Colts win County Cup 27 points to 7

Team: Ben Law, Will Moore, Alex White, James Apperley, Jack Fellowes-Prynne, Jago Madsen, Brad Moreton, Ed Goodman, Ed Tinney, Calum Doherty, Charlie Stewart, Eben Bacerra, Cameron Hugo, Jordan Albert, Teddy Treble.

Subs: Charlie Harris, Adam "Bob" Brownlees, Chris Wright, Steve Eacott, Dougal Polson, Callum MacDonald,

After winning the league last week the Colts went one better by beating Fullerians Colts 27 points to 7 to win the U18 Hertfordshire County Cup.

On a glorious day for rugby and with a large crowd watching both sides threw themselves into a pulsating game. Fullerians had the best of a very physical first 20 minutes as Stortford gave away too many penalties. Fullerians were held up twice over the line and scrummaging well. The Colts tried to breakout using their greater pace out wide and nearly got Charlie Stewart the left wing into space but his boot just in touch with the line beckoning.

The Colts defence remained resolute and the big hits kept getting made with Ben Law, Brad Moreton and Jack Fellowes-Prynne taking down the big forwards, which took its toll on Fullers and the superior fitness and mobility of the Colts started to come through. The forwards and centres bouncing up after crunching tackles the Colts started to win more ball.

With the Fullerians storm held, the Colts attacked and camped out in the opposition 22. From a lineout 7 metres from the try line James Apperley rose to take the ball, the forwards drove over the line and the captain Ed Goodman scored the try.

From the restart a series drives by the Colts forwards with White and Law leading the way established good field position. A hurried clearance by Fullerians set up lineout in their 22. A pinpoint throw by Will Moore created another catch and drive opportunity. Despite stubborn resistance from Fullers the Colts drove towards the try line and Goodman burst over for a second try. Teddy Treble added the extra 2 points.

In the dying minutes of the first half after a great 40 metre run by Stewart down the left wing the ball was recycled and with jinking runs from Calum Doherty and Ed Tinney and great rucking from the forwards tying up the defence the ball was moved right and centre Cameron Hugo burst through to score but was the try disallowed as the referee spotted a knock on. The half ended 12:0 to the Colts

After a strong first half Jack Fellowes-Prynne was replace by Adam Brownlees. The Colts playing into the breeze, started the second half as they had ended the first, with strong forward drives from Apperley, Moore and Law. The break down was increasingly being dominated by Jago Madsen and Brad Moreton creating continued pressure. Finally the Fullerians defence cracked and Goodman burst through to complete his hatrick.

A long kick off gave Fullerians good field position and they mounted a series of attacks which resulted in Eben Becerra being yellow carded for a break down offence. With the Colts down to 14 Fullerians pressed hard and finally a gap opened up and Craig Duncan scored close to the posts and added the conversion, bringing the game to 17:7. Madsen then made way for Kiwi Dougal Polson to maintain the Colts breakdown dominance.

Undaunted the Colts surged back with a bullocking run from "Bob" Brownlees. After a series of surges the ball was passed wide to the right then with great hands the backs orchestrated by flyhalf Calum Doherty moved the ball to Stewart on the left wing who evaded a couple of tackles and sprinted past the full back to score in the corner. The conversion from wide out was narrowly missed. Stewart with bloodied leg was replaced by Callum MacDonald.

With substitutes Charlie Harris, Chris Wright and Steve Eacott adding fresh legs to the forwards, there was the chance of a final score. An excellent kick chase by Jordan Albert moved the Colts close to the Fullerians 22 and following an impressive turnover by Becerra the scrum half Ed Tinney spotted the full back out of position and chipped into space behind the ruck. The irrepressible Goodman ran through and secured the ball and passed it to Tinney who scored to seal a memorable win.

This was a fitting end to Youth Rugby for the Colts, many of whom have been playing at BSRFC since they were 6 or 7 years old.