Colts start strongly with a very encouraging victory over Longlevens

It had been 18 months since the last competitive weekend club rugby game for most players. Some had played school games so knew the essentials – pass backwards, tackle hard, score more points than your opponents, and respect the ref (aka Sir!).

We had no idea how many players would attend the first competitive game of the season. It was only a friendly, but try telling a teenager that the result doesn’t matter. Numbers at training had been increasing which was encouraging, but not enough to practice forwards and backs moves to perfection. Players were still learning each others names, let alone their instincts in a match situation. Today was going to be interesting away at the home of Longlevens. Aka all the Colts age group players in Glos. How would the small market town of Stroud do against the sprawling metropolis of Gloucester – home of the (soon to be – next season we promise) mighty Glaws.

The banter on the touchline between parents was just like a gig – nervous energy. “Come Together” sang the parents – showing their musical age – not necessarily their hope over the meshing of 2 age groups together.

Before we get close to game action I should perhaps warn the U17s how the match report works. It’s a work of art, a marauding fairy tale. Sometimes its accurate, but mostly not. Quite often its to be taken with a pinch of salt. Once I work out the players names and get them into the correct game context it might get more interesting……hopefully !

I had made a rookie error. I wasn’t expecting to do a match report so my notes were sparse to say the least. It was only a post match request from selected parents and players that made me decide to “have a go”, just like our players who had “a hell of a go” today! So this was going to be a struggle. I couldn’t even recognize the U18s with their lockdown haircuts and I’d grown up with them for 10+ years. What chance of piecing together the U17s – especially when I was told that twins were there.

So in true Stroud spirit I decided it was all about the team performance and would try and not cause offense by limiting the naming (and shaming) of the boys in blue.

Forwards: 2 x Props, 1 x hooker, 2 locks, 2 flankers and #8
Backs: Scrumhalf and fly half, 2 centres, 2 fast wingers and full back
Subs: Enough. Probably 4.

Warm ups had gone OK. Players started to learn new positions and names. We even did some lineout drills and called some plays. “No 9” came the shout as they practiced ruck drills. Yup we were missing a scrumhalf. Quick to adapt Myles stepped in and earnt the shirt for the rest of the game – and did himself proud with a great performance controlling the forwards and setting the backs off to work their magic.

Stroud kicked off. "+ve territory gain" screamed the parents showing gallows humour. Best stop the match report here I thought and end on a high. No need to worry about that – our players were well up for the challenge. Stroud controlled the ball well in a few phases. Got close to scoring with some slick hands but bundled into touch. The forwards took over and stole a lineout. They pounded the line with pick and go’s. They all had a go. Eventually #3 barreled over and scored the opening try. Who is #3 asked the parents. A prop I replied. I didn’t have a clue. My eyesight was so bad it could have been #8 shirt number. A certain parent pleaded for the player to be named as it was his 1st score in 3 years. After a post-match debrief and more pleading it was agreed we could identify him clearly. Alex had scored from the full back position. Guilt took over and I gleefully awarded the try to Stoner. 5-0 to Stroud.

Levens came back strongly and camped in the Stroud 22. Fraught defense kept them out. Eventually Stroud forced a turnover. The ball came out to Will who chipped over the up-rushing defense. Great skill enabled him to recover his own kick and 80 yards later he had outrun the Levens defenders and scored a stunning try under the posts. 12-0 and the well oiled machine was purring nicely.

Levens still showed their competitiveness and again got deep into the Stroud half through skill and penalties. Laurie was immense in the lineout all day though and stole another throw. More good backs moves from #12 got us into the Levens half. Who’s 12 asked the U18 parents as they knew Dave was unavailable for selection. “Dave Who” shouted the players. We’ve got George. Same lines, same technique, all over the pitch. Levens tackled George well but the forwards were quickly there to control the breakdown. Next thing we know flanker #7 was smashing his way down the line. A fantastic run punishing all defenders in his way. Just as we thought he was dragged down he accelerated and run over the next tackler. An outrageous fake 5 yards out flummoxed the full back and another try under the posts was the result. Who scored that I asked. Forwards try by committee? Its one of the twins I was kindly informed. Doesn’t help as twins come as a pair with different names. Luckily I saw Theo watching with arm in cast so worked out it must have been Freddie. Get that cast off quick as having 2 twins on the pitch playing that well can only be a good thing. 19-0 to Stroud and the supporters were in heaven.

The next attack was again from deep. This time the marauding locks were off on a punishing run up the middle for 50+ yards. Laurie did the 1st bit of damage – especially to the brave Levens full back. Darion was supporting superbly though and took the ball on at pace to the try line but great Levens defence kept Stroud out.

The ref called for water break and the entertainment was put on hold…….until a few minutes later when Will put a perfect kick out wide to Dougie the winger. He caught it at pace and charged up the wing with a try for the taking. Great defending forced him to cut back inside and a perfect offload to George and a run to the posts rounded off a fantastic team move – lineout win, kick to space, great catch and run, good supporting lines and a try. Imagine what this team can do once they have a few games under their belts and some proper well worked moves to spring on their opponents. 26-0 was the lead now.

The next phase of the game showed the speed of the backs and the good timing of the passes to release the next attack at just the right time. But they could only get into the 22 and then the Levens defence stiffened and it became a battle of the bodies. Stroud showed great control to work the ball close to the line. Eventually the ball was punched over and the try was awarded to “forwards by committee”. Mr Stone again tried to claim this try for his son. Darion was having none of this and correctly identified it as the 2nd flanker in #6 shirt. No one could tell me his name so “Mr Anonymous” was credited with the score. Another great conversion from Will from out wide made it 33-0. The ref blew for the half and we all stopped to catch our breath. The parents were more out of shape than the players! Lockdown hadn’t been kind !

Half Time: Longlevens 0 – 33 Stroud

The 2nd half was always going to be anti-climatic after the electric 1st half. The teams traded attacks, sharing the spoils at scrum time, and Stroud controlling the lineouts with Laurie winning both teams throws. Great lifting from the forwards to get him that high! Longlevens to their credit never backed down. They kept attacking, they kept defending. Their heads never dropped. They were rewarded with a well worked try and conversion. 33-7. Was the comeback on?

Another water break and we entered the final stretch. A yellow card against Stroud galvanized Levens and they again showed great poise in attack controlling the ball well as the ferocious Stroud tackles kept them out. Eventually pressure told and Levens scored in the corner. Conversion missed but the score was closer at 33-12. Had Stroud been found out ?..............

…….Of course not ! The final play of the game again had backs and forwards combining well from deep in their own 22. The ball came down the left. The space seemed to disappear but a lovely inside pass to Will gave him a clear run to the line and the final score of the game.

Full Time: Longlevens 12 – 40 Stroud

Both players congratulated each other for the great spirit the game was played in. Rugby was the winner after 18 months hiatus. But equally too Stroud Colts could take great confidence from that performance. Few things to work on for sure, but a great baseline performance to build on. All players did themselves proud – especially those playing a new position. You would never know it was 2 different age groups playing together for the first time. Physically everyone put themselves around and the tackling was immense. Defence wins championships as they say in the NFL.

Off to the bar for some celebratory drinks and a top portion of chicken curry. Thanks to Longlevens for their hospitality and look forward to playing you later in the season. Hope your injured players recovery quickly.

Apologies if your child wasn’t named in the match report. I’ll learn the names better the next few weeks. I don’t think getting tattoos of their nicknames on the foreheads will be allowed by GRFU rules.

Next week is home to Tewkesbury - 1st league game. The score starts at 0-0. Lets build upon this Longlevens performance and take it to the next level.