The Colts headed down the N17 made famous by the Sawdoctors with stone walls and green grass on Tuesday night last as they played their second pre-season game off the season. On cold crisp night the Colts’ Under 16’s lost out to Tuam in a highly entertaining game on a score line of 22-15.
The game could not have started much better for the Colts as straight from the kick-off Conor Lavery gathered ball, laid if off to Jack Lally who hit top gear in seconds to run straight through the Tuam defence and touchdown in the corner. Unfazed by this start back came Tuam and within 7 minutes they had draw level. Tuam played the ball through the hands and got through some very suspect Colts defending to tie the game at 5-5.
The scores remained unchanged until the 31st minute when three tries in a 10 minute spell put the game beyond doubt. It has to be said that the Colts contributed to their own downfall with some very poor tacking and rucking during this phase of the game. With the game going into the last 20 minutes the Colts were starring at a heavy loss but to their credit their heads did not drop. Indeed it was at 22-5 behind that the Colts really began to play.
The Colts used the ball through their forwards and after a number of phases of possession, they crossed for their second try of the night. It was TJ Byrne who emerged from the bottom of a pile of bodies with the ball to claim the try, to leave it 22-10 to the hosts.
Clearly their tails were up and the Colts began to attack the Tuam line with greater purpose. Camped on the Tuam line Evan Slattery stretched out that big frame of his and got the ball down for the visitors third try to give the Colts some hope. However time was not on their side and the Tuam lads wound the clock and come out with the victory.
Team: L. Osborne, C. Walsh, C. Hanley, S. Murphy J. Lally, D, Barry, P. Breakell, C. Lavery, J.Cooley, C. Ryan, , D. O Brien, E. Roe, A. Ronayne, E. Slattery, J. Ruane,
Subs Used: E. Clarke, D. Mellet, M. Byrne, C. Hennelly, TJ Byrne