14/10/12 Claro Road
Harrogate Junior Colts v Wensleydale
Cold with a slight breeze, excellent under foot.

As usual with the Junior Colts, we decided this game of Rugby isn’t hard enough to begin with, so we gifted the opposition a try within the first 60 secs! Some poor tackling from ‘Gate and some blistering pace from the Wensleydale wing resulted in a well-executed try in the corner to put the visitors 0 – 5 up.

However, the hosts soon pulled their socks up with the new look back 3 (converts from the back row) taking advantage of some broken defensive lines. On 5 minutes some good interplay on the right hand side saw a great offload (and not the Sonny Bill kind)!!! into the hands of George Mazz to score in the corner.

The ‘Gate revamped line out was looking extremely potent and dynamic (Coaches Thomas & Shattock will take all the credit) and it was a superbly executed line out on the opposition 22m that allowed the ball to be shipped very quickly across the pitch for Aidan to get his name on the score sheet. With the conversion it was now 12 – 5.

The breakdown saw a great tussle for both sides as ‘Dale committed numbers and were powerful in their drive and ‘Gate needed to be more urgent in their approach. On one such occasion, quick ball allowed our stand in full back James to jink through broken defensive lines to touch down. Keano’s reliable boot adding the extras. 17 – 5

Keano then decided he wanted all the glory and after some sustained pressure in the opposition 22m, he was on the end of a charge down that saw an easy pick up for him to score under the posts, giving an easy conversion. 26 – 5.

The midfield pairing of Liam & Scott started to look impressive in the second half, with Liam running the back line well and Scott providing some penetrating runs. On the 44th minute mark Scott burst through the defensive line and gave a pass out wide to Aidan who half beat his man and with Scott running a very good support line allowed the offload (again, not the Sonny Bill kind) for him to get the congratulations and his name on the scoreboard. 31 – 5

The hosts seemed to be enjoying their play in this second half which resulted in probably the best move of the match in the 55th minute. The ball was moved through the hands in a fluid motion with players providing excellent support lines which allowed two offloads and George to score in the corner once again, with Keano slotting an excellent kick. 38 – 5

The game ended with ‘Dale reduced to 14 men due to an incident on the floor at a ruck. At the resulting penalty, ‘Gate shipped the ball wide to Aidan on the left wing to go over in the corner and then move closer to the posts to make the kick easier. 45 – 5

A satisfying and strong display from the Junior Colts in preparation for next Sunday’s game with Wharfedfale.

It would be great to see the new faces down at training on Thursday’s (1900hrs prompt start through until 2030hrs ish) to integrate themselves further with the squad, provide continuity and for the team to really nail down moves, shapes and play.