Colts continue strong start with back to back victories

It was a barmy summer’s day at fortress Fromehall. Could the Colts continue their impressive start to the season – this time against Tewkesbury ?

Finally we would have competitive fixtures again. Proper league structure. That needs to wait until the New Year Jane warned us. We’re in a friendly league with friendly games until Xmas. Try telling that to testosterone loaded teenagers who had 18 months of hitting stored up ready for their first home game. “No such thing as a friendly game of rugby” snorted the front row. The back row agreed and vowed to dial back the aggression and shake their opponents hand as they picked them out of the crater they intended to tackle them into.

90 minutes of warmups threatened to tire out the players. Good job both teams had healthy numbers of 22 each. The ref had got delayed and Phil was being pressured into reffing. He quickly took the easy option and opened the bar instead to the gratitude of the parents. We then turned to try and find coach Jo who had been AWOL for the day on house removal duties. He couldn’t be seen either. This though we realized was due to his son Will turning 18 and could now officially look after himself as a grown man and Jo was letting him fly the nest – for 3 hours of game day anyway.

Panic over. The ref arrived and it was game on. No need to have a whip round and find the £50 cash to run the lights for an evening fixture…..

Forwards: Stoner, Freddie, Ben, Laurie, Darrion, Callum, Freddie, Joe
Backs: Myles, Will, George, Archie, Austin, Dougie, Alex
Subs: Arthur, James, Joe, Lewis, Jonty, Ryan, Isaac

Stroud kicked off into a brisk wind and Dougie was quick on the kick chase and bundled the player into touch. The wind affected the lineout throw so Tewks took the scrum option and attacked right and broke the defensive line and threatened to score. Alex wasn’t feeling friendly and spoilt the try with a last man standing tackle. Tewks quickly recycled the ball left hoping to exploit the gap aka chasm in the Stroud defensive line to the left. They moved the ball fast, but not as fast as winger Dougie who backed his pace, skills and hands and opportunistically intercepted the ball on half way and ran it under the posts. If he’d have knocked on the ref would have had to award a penalty try from halfway. Good decision young man! An easy kick for Will and Stroud were up 7-0

Stroud ran back the kickoff but were forced into touch. The next few minutes the teams traded lineouts, knock-ons and scrums until Tewks were penalized for offside. Will kicked deep into the corner to give Stroud a great attacking option. Hooker Freddie threw a laser throw-in that found the leaping Laurie. Great forwards technique set up a driving maul and they inched over the line but were held up. Tewks won their scrum and kicked deep to Alex who fielded it well and fed Will who kicked it back with interest into space by the right wing. It was one bounce from perfection. Bounce left to Dougie and try #2 but instead we got bounce right and into touch. The lineout was a good battle all game and Tewks won theirs again. Another long kick to relieve the pressure was met with pounding runs from Stoner and Laurie down the middle. An injury to Darrion gave new recruit Joe the chance to earn his trade in the forwards. Need to be adaptable when playing for the Colts!

Another good scrum from Stroud gave them an attacking platform left and right but Tewks were combative in defense and stole the ball. Stoner thought that was very unfriendly so welcomed his opponent to the game with a pile drive, bone jarring, rib damaging tackle. Being the nice chap he is he shook his opponents hand and reminded him that was a warmup and the next tackle would be the “real-deal”. Tewks didn’t like the ferocity of the forwards so some handbags were exchanged. Can’t go dancing in a nightclub without a Covid passport, plus only Will was old enough, so the handbags were exchanged on the Fromehall turf and not the dancefloor. Penalty to Stroud and another kick to the corner.

This time Stroud drove at the line again but Tewks were adept to steal the ball and run it out from deep. The next 2 or 3 minutes was a frantic exchange of runs and tackles with Tewks working their way upto halfway until they knocked on. Stroud were doing great in the scrum and won another clean hook. Myles went for a snipe, but in prop combative fashion. He ran over 2 tacklers and drew in more desperate defenders. Good rucking gave Will clean ball to kick into space in the Tewks 22 where an excellent kick chase turned over the ball and left Laurie with a pick and go for the line by the right corner. Good awareness of the blustrey winds made Laurie get it closer to the posts and Will kicked a good conversion for a 14-0 lead.

Tewks kicked long this time and left with a horrible angle Will aced his kick up to halfway. Laurie stole the throw and Stroud attacked. New Joe ran well with the ball. Then flanker Freddie went for a rumble well supported by Archie. Another gruber kick right and all Tewks could do was run it into touch deep in their 22. Stroud won the lineout and attacked left – more quick hands gave a scoring opportunity but the nasty wind spoilt the last pass and the try went begging. Tewks won their scrum and kicked long. Will just kicked it back into the deadball area and Tewks had to touch down and go for a goal line drop out. Another good run back but the game was forming into a kicking contest to try and take advantage of the swirling wind. Both sets of players were too good to drop the ball though.

Stroud’s combative #8 was bored of watching the ball flying over his head. He took control and smashed his way into contact. I was kindly reminded that it was Joe who had scored last week and not Mr Anonymous. To me he’s now “Sir” after the way he threw himself into contact time after time. More defenders were sucked in and this time George put the gruber kick through to his centre mate Archie who deftly recovered it and forced his way through 2 more tackles to threaten the line. Darrion went Rhino, then Sir Joe of #8 went next. Callum at 6 had a go, then Ben. Tewks kept them out but it just delayed the inevitable. The ball came out to the backs who attacked left. Great hands found Alex who forced his way over the line by the corner. He mashed his thumb up as a reward so his DoE expedition this week was going to be a challenge. He can drop his back pack all week just don’t drop the precious rugby ball next weekend. As he went to the ground in pain the match reporter made a mental note to advise him to run it under the posts next time to give Will an easier conversion. Will proved a point by missing the kick into the fierce wind. 19-0 to Stroud and the ref blew for the half.

Half Time: Stroud 19 – 0 Tewkesbury

Subs were taken en-masse and more re-organization of the backs and forwards. Myles found himself at 10 for the second half but there would be no drop off in kicking or ball distribution skills as Will earnt a rest. These 18 year olds must have partied too hard now they don’t need parental approval !

Tewks kicked off and Stroud were forced into some uncharacteristic errors. The ball was knocked on and went to ground and Stroud stopped. Tewks took advantage and ran the ball back on a Jonny May swirling run. More twists in the mazy run back then the twists in this match report. An easy try under the posts and an easy kick for 19-7.Play to the whistle lads and kill that ball!

Tewks ran the ball back but Freddie snubbed out the threat. A turnover was then earnt and Stroud attacked left. Lewis was released by Alex into space and an attacking chance but a great cover tackle stopped another try scoring chance. Tewks knocked on their lineout and Stroud then won a penalty that was kicked to the corner. Another leaping Laurie catch from new hooker Ryan set up a driving maul. Relentless line pressure threatened to score but Tewks were magnificent in defense. Stroud went wide into the backs and Arthur threatened to crash through but was denied at the line. Laurie then drove over from the base of the ruck to score his 2nd try of the game. The conversion was missed but Stroud were back in charge at 24-7.

The next phase of play was deep in Stroud’s half. The ball refused to leave the Stroud 22. Both teams took it in turns to knock-on. The ball went loose in the Stroud dead ball area and an alert Myles dived on it to stop a sure fire try. It just delayed the inevitable though as Tewks won their scrum 5 and the big #8 powered over from the base of the scrum. Kick missed but the score closed to 24-12.

The game settled down to an even battle. A great interchange of passes between George and Arthur threatened to score another try but that dang wind drifted the last pass forward. Stroud’s next attack was expertly led by Myles at 10 and he kicked diagonally to the corner but again the bounce favoured Tewks and not the flying Lewis. Tewks won their lineout but couldn’t escape the pressure and another bone crunching tackle forced a knock on. The backs attacked left and a great interchange of passes, out to in, in to out was sublime. Even Tewks watched and admired, until they stiffened their resolve and kept out the attack at the goal line. Stroud were too keen to clear out at the ruck and were penalized.

Tewks worked their way out of their 22. Players were tiring as the heat intensified. A great kick over the top into the Stroud 22 was chased down by 2 rampaging backs but the lonely Stroud back (Jonty or Lewis?) did amazing to field the ball under pressure, elude the 2 attackers and survive long enough until his team mates jogged back to help him. Having dodged another bullet Stroud decided to show their class. They marched up the field again through a combination of forward moves and backs magic. A penalty kick to the corner brought the inevitable catch and drive. Stroud drove over but the ball had been stolen by Tewks. The ball was loose and an alert James dived on the ball to score his first try. Having decided to join the forwards at the last training session this was a pretty impressive debut to score his 1st try within 10 minutes of being on the pitch. Next week we’ll start him and he should score 7 tries on that ratio. Another tough kick was missed but the lead was now 29-12.

The last phase of the game was upon us. It was classic Stroud – finish with a flourish and highlight your trademark plays. Flanker Freddie went on a typical pounding run for 30 metres. No energy left by his own admittance but he dug that out of nothing. Next Tewks had a go but Myles was waiting with a statement tackle. Ball came loose and Stroud turned defense into attack with and almighty kick from Will into the Tewks 22. Again the kicking gods were against us and the ball squeezed into touch. On another day Stroud could have had 4 more winger tries but this week was all about the forwards.

The ref checked his watch and that was the game. Another excellent result from the team in blue and the crowds went home satisified.

Full Time: Stroud 29 – 12 Tewkesbury

The players shook hands and the Tewkesbury players kindly reminded the Colts it was just a friendly and they would return the favour in the league game at theirs. The Stroud players didn’t have a care in the world. They rushed upstairs to get their lashings of Chilli in taco shells and their apple tizer drinks, or lemonade. Whatever Phil had left at the bar as they were down to the dregs.

Thanks to the ref for keeping the game flowing nicely and reminding the players to be kind to each other as it was only a Friendly. Thanks to the kitchen and bar staff for keeping everyone fed and watered.

Next week it’s a new team at home. Minety from the Malmsbury area. Lets hope for another fast start and another balanced game of forwards and backs all contributing to another good Stroud performance.