Colts U17 go marching on

An early start and journey of 230 miles brought a determined Saltash Colts team to Weedon Lane in the Divisional Quarter-Final of the National Plate Competition. Looking to be a strong and well drilled outfit in pre-match warm up it looked like it was going to be a challenging afternoon.

With the benefit of a stiff breeze at their backs A&C got off to the better start. Again looking strong in both forwards and backs A&C were able to gain and maintain good field position. An early penalty from Gus Knott got A&C on the scoreboard. Both sides were evenly matched in scrum and lineout, A&C were quick to the breakdown and managed to turn the ball over on regular occasions enabling the forwards to make good ground and play the game in the Saltash 22. Tries by Charlie Perkins and Callum Reid-Jones both coming from forward drives gave A&C a 13-0 lead.

Saltash responded well and a clever kick over the A&C defensive line held up in the breeze and with the benefit of a favourable bounce were able to gather and run the ball in for an unconverted try. The half finished with the score 13-5 but the prospect of facing a determined opposition with the benefit of the stiff breeze that seemed to be getting stronger.

Saltash with renewed belief tried to take the game to A&C but resilient defense from A&C managed to keep our opponents at bay. A defining moment of the second half came with Saltash moving the ball quickly through their back line and stretching the A&C defense, the ball with their outside centre, a man outside, one man to beat with the line looming ever closer, a try looked on until from nowhere Callum Reid-Jones made a massive hit taking the outside centre into touch. This seemed to galvanise the team and their commitment moved up a level.

A&C pushed Saltash back into their half and another strong run from Tom Wood was rewarded with a try in the corner giving A&C an 18-5 lead with 20 minutes left to play. Saltash never gave up and pushed hard for an opening but A&C were resilient as ever in defense and managed to hold out for the remainder of the game without conceding a point. An excellent effort given the quality of the opposition with conditions in their favour.

Special mention to man of the match Connor Underwood but as always it is difficult to single out an individual in what was another great squad effort, not without mistakes and the possibility of better things to come.

I understand we will be hitting the M4 and heading west for the Divisional Final.

Keep it up boys.