OLD PATS
TRIES

10

 A Moore X 4
A Bartlett
C McCormick
B Grice
B Shaw
B Lord X 2

OLD PATS
CONVERSIONS

6

Sam Perris X 1

J Hogg X 5

OLD PATS
PENALTIES

0

CIRENCESTER
TRIES

0

CIRENCESTER
CONVERSIONS

0

CIRENCESTER
PENALTIES

0

The maths were relatively simple: lose, and we’d be in danger of being overtaken by the chasing pack; win with a bonus point, and Longlevens couldn’t catch us; win without the extra point, and the count-back complexity would ensue.

We’d won a gritty encounter with today’s opponents only a matter of weeks ago and knew that this would be no walk in the park. The selection meeting for all Colts games is a complex balancing act, and this one was particularly tricky. Practically all the squad had put their hands up for selection but we couldn’t use everybody. Commitment to the team counts for a great deal, development for next season is important, and fairness to the whole squad is vital. Wanting to win is also in consideration, but, frankly, we’ve used every player available to us this year, and all of them have performed with distinction and determination. Nobody has let us down.

We ended up with a squad split almost exactly between the U17 and U18 groups. It was a massive, dynamic pack with an extremely exciting back line. It felt like it should be enough, but the messages from the coach and captain were to take nothing for granted.

On the plus side, for what seems like the only time in living memory, the sun was out, and the Everest Road pitch was firm(ish) and dry. We also won the toss and chose to play uphill first half as is our preference.

It requires a choice as to how many people you commit to the breakdown. Too many and you are numerically disadvantaged in the subsequent phases, too few and you lose the ball. Early in the game we got this wrong and were turned over or gave away penalties. However, once we’d arrived at a solution, things began to click.

It took fifteen minutes of attrition to create the holes, but eventually, the pounding of the pack did its job. Several forward drives made the space for Ollie R to exploit and his deft offload put Alex in for the opening score. 5-0

A digestive emergency temporarily cost us the services of our tight head. It was remarked that we’d never seen Conor run so fast but that is because he usually has six or seven defenders hanging off him. Restored to Gastro-intestinal harmony he was his usual physical presence about the field and together with his fellow forwards proceeded to dominate both the loose and set piece.

Earlier in the season our lineout, in particular, was misfiring, and we didn’t maul or scrum like we could. The addition of Josh, our specialist forwards coach has seen this aspect of our game improve hugely. The evidence was there for all to see as our front pod at the line stole all Ciren’s short throws forcing them into inaccuracy at the tail. For a while our best source of possession was their line out with Sam H gratefully accepting the throw at the tail of the line. Initially, the defence were able to restrain his advances but he is relentless. Several carries dragged in defenders and from this we were able to spin the ball wide for Aidan to make the corner. He has the pace and power to play out in the backs but his skill-set is equally suited to close-quarters combat. Chasing down a rare Ciren attack, and regaining his feet to steal the ball at the break down was worthy of any flanker. The try was great but the turnover was spectacular!

We were starting to really tick now and from the kick off restart attacked again with the pack. Two quick rucks put us on the front foot and made space for Isaac on the opposite wing to make ground. Alex spotted the lack of guards at the ruck with a rapid pick up making the line close enough to the posts that the stiff breeze didn’t stymie the conversion for once. 17-0 at half time.

It’s probably fair to say that though we were up hill and against fresh and determined opposition, we could have been further ahead with better accuracy. The discussion at the break focused on this and not winding the ref up any more. We really do need to learn this skill as it’s hampered us considerably this year. The second half was better.

We rotated the starters for the finishers at the interval with no noticeable dilution of talent and on we went, needing one more try for the vital bonus point. An early line out to them was successful in retaining possession but our line speed and defensive pressure forced an unwise pass. Alex was in the right place to intercept and race clear for his third, our fourth try. We just needed the win now to secure the league and that became increasingly likely as we turned up the intensity.

A penalty for holding on was kicked to the opposition 22 and a catch and drive ensued. A driving maul is a wonderful thing to behold unless you’re trying to stop it and there was no halting this one as it’s momentum carried us to the line. With the backs racing in to add their weight to the pile, it was replacement hooker Caspar in possession at the bottom of the heap over the line. 29-0

The scrum was dominant all afternoon and from one such platform, Sam H picked up and ran hard. Tracking his progress was, almost inevitably, Alex once more who took the offload and cruised to the line for his fourth of the game. Substituted to a rousing ovation, he was richly deserving of his player of the match award.

We weren’t done though. Another scrum in reverse put Ciren under pressure and the pass was spilled as the back row prowled. Benji, chief architect of chaos, was close enough to fall on the loose ball over the line for a simple score. He had to be in the right place though, and he was. 43-0

The next score was anything but simple and is a candidate for try of the season. From a scrum the backs drifted rightward and Jonny theaded a kick behind the defence. Langers raced onto it with the last defender to beat. Ben S , inside him but covered by the scrambling defence saw the space indicating where a second chip through should be placed. An inch-perfect foot -pass and a helpful bounce plus the famous Shaw afterburners saw Ben race clear to touch down in style near the uprights. 48-0

The rules of the competition allow for a team to decline to participate further should the lead reach 50 clear points. To their immense credit Cirencester refused this and continued to play. With the win now a formality, however, we were able to throw the ball around with freedom, offloading out of tackles like the Fijians of old.

Ben L , switching front for back row in the later stages was last man on the end of a flowing, multi phase move and repeated his try scoring feat in the last minute after picking up at the rear of a scrum, putting the winger into space and tracking for the return pass. 62-0 final score and a very happy changing room.

The play-off against the Southern league winners is scheduled for the 19th April under the lights at Newlands. Confidence is high

Allez les Pats

Tom Perris