Under grey skies with a blustery wind and a constant threat of rain, the colts, smarting from an early exit in the National Cup last week, took on local rivals Cheltenham North in a league fixture at Everest road.

We know North well and they are doing great things with their squad but lack the strength in depth of the Pats. We were able to rotate some lads in today who’ve not played much and rest a few who’d done heavy duty.

We chose to play uphill first half and, from the off, North were under self-inflicted pressure created by a series of penalties against them for high tackles.
From the first of these, we kicked deep and from the lineout, drive at their line. Captain of the day Charlie H powered over to open the scoring. 5-0

Reclaiming the kick off, North exerted pressure of their own with a series of forward carries down the hill. Some resolute defending kept them out until the ball was stripped in a tackle and we were able to break from our own 22. Slick hands and the pace of Barney HS saw him elude the cover to score under the posts 12-0 after ten minutes.

North continued to offend under pressure and a series of heavy carries in the pack led by Luke and Adam saw us drive ITU the line with, eventually, Adam crashing over. Monty, on kicking duty today, added his second conversion of the afternoon. 19-0

Finally, the referee lost patience with the continuing poor tackle technique brandishing a yellow card at the latest North offender.

From the resulting lineout, Aiden took a ball off the top and ran hard at the defence drawing in cover. A sweet offload to a Lordy, in close support saw Ben charge over between the sticks. 26-0

Again we were forced to defend for a significant period as North battered at us with their substantial pack. Again we held out turning them over once more at a crucial time. Moving the ball wide slowed Sam E to race from our 22 and as the cover closed in him he threaded through a beautifully judged kick. It bounced into the hands of the chasing Barney who, hauled down short of the line managed to off load to Sam who’d continued the chase. A side step and a stretch saw the ball hit the whitewash for our fifth try and Sam’s first for the Colts. A lovely score for your first one captured on film by his father’s long lens.

North saw another player in the bin for a high shot allowing us to maintain the pressure. Monty took a nice line into the 22 and Alfie, a dynamic presence all day popped up to carry over. Monty slotted the best of his conversions from wide, into the wing and we lead 38-0.

Finally, North varied their tactics of hitting it up with the pack and ran the ball. A deft chip over our defence and a regather gave them a score in the corner and a very well taken conversion made it 38-7 at half time.

Downhill, with new personnel of the pitch, we began the second half with confidence but North had something to say about that and subjected us to a heavy bombardment of big lads carrying into our territory. Again they were unable to capitalise with Angus once again emerging from the breakdown with the ball. Together with Alfie, Ben and later Bertie, his fellows in the back row, Angus was a thorn in the side all game. Tackling, carrying ball and reclaiming possession regularly and effectively, he was close to earning the player of the match. In the end, that award went to Alfie who was equally dynamic but managed to score a try!

Racing from defence Barney looked up and saw acres of empty grass. Chipping into the void, he raced through to regather and score his second of the game. Why he let a Lordy take the conversion is anyone’s guess but it was 45-7.

From a scrum in our own half, but encouraged by our healthy lead, we ran first phase ball. George, at full back today, entered the line at pace and swerved and stepped his way past multiple defenders to reach the line under the posts. Classy work. 52-7..

The rules of the competition state the game should end if one team reaches a lead of 50 points or more and that mark was surpassed by Charlie bursting from a maul and charging to the line trailing defenders.

Final score 59-7 just before the rain set in and a happy team this week celebrating a great win.

Onwards!

Allez les Pats!

Tom Perris