Match Reports 27th January 2018

Colts U15 Boys vs Buccaneers

The U15 boys traveled to Athlone for their league semi final on Saturday. Buccaneers had finished top of the league so the Colts would have to be at their best to get a result.

The home side started well forcing the Colts to defend and this they did well with good line speed. The Colts soaked up the early pressure and finally started to get a chance to attack . With some strong running and quick thinking they drove at the Buccaneers no 8, Kyle Leonard made a break which turned the tables.  After some quick rucks Meiheal Heit touched down for first blood to the Colts. The rest of the half saw some excellent and committed play from both teams but Buccaneers managed to hit back with a try just before half time. So it was 5 all at the break.

Second half: The next score was important and it was the home side that got the luck to lead 10-5. The intensity of the game started to take its toll and with bodies tiring the home side found gaps that weren’t there in the first half . The home side grew in confidence and scored again. The loss of Meiheal Hett to injury didn’t help the Colts cause and again the home side were able to take more and more control which resulted in  two more quick tries. With those tries the chance of a spot in the final slipped away. The Colts continued to fight hard to the finish but it was Buccaneers who finished out the game stronger So a disappointing day for our lads but they now have the Cup to look forward to with Creggs in the first round .

The boys were brilliant yesterday, if we didn’t have such crucial injuries during the game I think it would have been a different result. Bring on Creggs!

Colts U11 & U12 Boys Blitz vs Monivea

Unfortunately the unkind Irish weather of late curtailed the size of the Blitz his week and reduced it U11 and U12 Boys against Monivea. Fortunately their one available pitch was fairly  although liable to cut up. The U11s started the better of the 2 teams with a quick try but then Monivea got into their stride with a better ability to move the ball out wide. There was ferocious tackling on both sides and once or twice it boiled over but overall it was a hard fought game. The boys played a second game and this turned out to be a very different match with the Colts discovering their passion and the ability to play the game as a team sport. It was a joy to see much improved rucking and mauling as well as the ball going from hand to hand. In the end the Colts were fantastic and I think thoroughly enjoyed the game. Well done lads.

The U12s had a good trip to Monivea on Saturday. Despite a number of players missing through illness 11 players turned out and turned their jersies inside out! There were some excellent performances from Michael Smyth, Stephen Gibbons & Cormac Lyons. Overall there was a significant improvement in tackling which greatly improved the boys game. Well done lads. Keep the effort going. Wales is only a couple of months away.