Colts snatch victory at the death over Minch

It was a lovely summer’s day away at arch-rivals Minch. 20C warmer than the normal Feb visit – still only 5C with the constant windchill but a very pleasant afternoon’s rugby to look forward to.

A big crowd was in attendance looking forward to the battle of the valleys. School and college mates, neighbours, work colleagues. In the case of George ex-team mates waiting to see if his nose had recovered from last week’s facial reconstruction at Cheltenham.

Delia was in charge of the injury assessments and advising the coaching staff of player availability.:

• George – good to go
• Dougie – 3 week recovery and 3 weeks energy to burn off.
• Winger Joe – hurt in warmups
• Alex – missing a lung from DofE in the Brecons. Off to Sugarloaf mountain to look for it.
• Rest of the squad were declared match fit and raring to go.

So another re-org. Swiss army knife Myles slotted in at full back.

GAME ON !!!!

Forwards: Ben, Freddie, Ryan, Laurie, Darion, James, Freddie, Jake
Backs: Lewis, Will, George, Arthur, Beau, Dougie, Myles
Subs: Jedd, Lucas, Callum, Rhys, Joe, Jonty, Archie

Stroud kicked off and the mayhem started. Bodies flew into each other trying to impose themselves on the game – and their opponent - early. Minch settled down first and set up some attacks. Flanker James was quickly into action with a scything tackle that gave Stroud a turnover chance from Jake. Minch gave away a penalty and Stroud kicked to the corner. Laurie took the lineout cleanly with Freddie adjusting his throw well to the gusting wind. The backs attacked right and George was quickly into action with a gruber kick into space that Minch defended well. Stroud’s defensive line was strong and kept Minch pinned in their own 22 until an offside penalty gave them an escape to halfway. Minch won their lineout and attacked left and right but couldn’t break the blue wall of Stroud defenders – forwards and backs equally combative in contact. Minch kicked behind the up-rushing defenders and Dougie did well to chase back and recover the ball but Minch managed to turn the ball over and set up camp on the Stroud line……

…5 minutes later Minch were still attacking. The blue wall held strong. In fact the bricks and mortar we had constructed was doing a great job as it dried stronger. Darion snaffled a turnover and Minch gave away a penalty in frustration. As Will kicked the ball to halfway the forwards took the wall down as they’d need to reconstruct it quite a few times as the afternoon progressed.

Minch stole the Stroud lineout and attacked again. James again was in the middle of the melee with another great tackle on their big #8 showing good technique always wins over height and strength. Minch weren’t to be denied though and kept the ball alive. They forced their way into the Stroud 22 and earnt a penalty. Instead of going for the posts they took a quick tap and forced their way into the right corner for a well earnt try and a statement opening. The kick was missed but Minch were 5-0 up and looking strong.

Minch took the swirling kickoff well but a forward pass stopped their momentum. Stroud won the scrum and attacked right. Good hands from the backs set Dougie down the wing. A last gasp tackle denied him a try and he was forced into touch. Minch won their lineout and kicked deep knowing that full back Alex was missing injured. So Minch had fallen for our trick and unleashed our next weapon. Myles cleanly took the ball and ran it back with interest into the Minch half. Well positioned Will kicked it diagonally. The Minch winger did well to catch the ball, but didn’t have much game awareness as he was tackled into next week by a monster Beau tackle. The ball was jarred loose and Stroud had earnt a scrum in the holy land of the Minch 22.

It was all wasted though as Minch stole the ball against the head and decided to run it out from deep. Again they choose the wrong channel and James was waiting with a powerful tackle. Darion and Ben then imposed themselves on their opposite numbers with strong tackles. Minch opted to attack through the centres. Another wasted effort as George was waiting to impose himself on his ex-team mates. Crunch! Another explosion. Was that his nose gone again? Nope – it was the air being forced from his opponents lungs as a tackle was unleashed. Back to the forwards and Minch going Rhinos. Ryan was alert and stopped the threat. Minch gave up running and kicked the ball instead. But again Myles was waiting with a clean catch and run back and then earnt a penalty that was kicked into the Minch 22.

Another good Laurie catch setup a forwards drive. It slowed up so Stroud went out to the backs and a lovely interchange of passes from Lewis, Will and George created a looping move to the left that sent Beau into contact. Minch were well organised and stopped the scoring threat and then the ref stopped the game with an early whistle. 20 minute half we enquired? Nope playing quarters as the Sunday roast was still been digested – by the ref not the players we assume.

Quarter Time: Minch 5 – 0 Colts

Stroud knocked on the short kickoff and Minch won the scrum. Their backs controlled the ball well until they ran into a Lucas tackle. Stroud stole a turnover but the ball was lost in contact so Minch had another scrum that they duly won under great pressure from a strong Stroud shove. Jake put in a powerful tackle that all the watching crowd felt, shortly after Ryan put in a pile-driver (footings for the next defensive wall?) and forced a turnover opportunity that the ever ready flanker Freddie stole and went off on his own attacking run. Good rucking from Freddie and Lucas secured clean ball. Then Joe and Jake had strong runs that forced Minch to infringe. Will aced the kick into the Minch 22 and Laurie claimed the lineout throw. This time Ryan peeled off the back of the drive and threatened to score. Lewis fed the backs and Archie took a hard line that deserved a try but stout defending got in the way. Laurie tried to force his way through but was denied. Out to the backs and Beau had a good run until he run into the Minch defensive wall that they’d borrowed from Stroud and painted green. Good control at the breakdown and Ben tried to punch over but was denied. Stroud were sucking in the defenders and Will saw this so a long arcing pass to Dougie on the right flank was rewarded with a diving try. A hard kick into the wind just missed but it was back to all square at 5-5.

Freddie ran back the kickoff with interest but the next attack broke down with a knock-on. Minch sniped at the scrum and went down the blind side. Blind as in didn’t see Beau waiting with another “in-your-face” statement tackle, and to add insult to likely injury the Minch player was dragged into touch as well. Laurie won the lineout but Minch stole the ball at the next ruck and heading the advice from their coaches they attacked to the opposite wing to see if any weakness there. Of course not ! Dougie showing no ill effect from his previous injury was brave in the tackle and earnt Stroud a penalty.

The next 5 minutes of the game was a fierce interchange of tackles, turnover, scrums and lineouts with both teams neutralising each other. Myles and Will had some good runs. Beau was enjoying running over players instead of around them. Archie and Joe smashed their way up the middle but Minch held strong. Stroud went circus skills and the ball came out to the backs. A back of the hand Myles pass to Dougie looked to have sent Dougie in for his 2nd try but Minch defended well. The ball drifted into touch and Stroud had an attacking lineout that Laurie duly won and the forwards setup a drive but the ref spotted an infringement and Minch had a lucky escape. Quick tap penalty and Minch were off and quickly into the Stroud half and looking threatening. Arthur put in a good tackle and Lewis was there to steal the ball and stop the danger. Myles kicked long and Stroud looked to be in a strong position but the kick chase was too fast and was called back for an offside.

Minch kicked to the corner and Stroud quickly reconstructed their defensive wall. 5 minutes later Minch were still camped on the Stroud try line – the bodies were piling up as no team gave an inch. Minch saw a gap in the mortar and forced their way through the wall to score another try. Another conversion missed but Stroud were in arrears again as the half time whistle went

Half Time: Minch 10 – 5 Colts

Stroud kicked off and Jedd was quickly into action stealing the ball from a Minch player. He landed badly and looked in pain. His Mum ran on to apply some TLC, and medical tape if needed. That was enough for Jedd to fix himself before Delia got within 20m of his prone body.

Stroud won the scrum but the attack went nowhere. Minch took over the ball and looked to play “smash-mouth” ball through the forwards. Jedd was waiting with his own statement tackle and Minch went back to Plan B. This time it was out to their backs and they got closer to the Stroud 22 and alarm bells went off. Another try and we’re in trouble conferred Jo and Jane. No it was alarm bells in the MInch coaching ranks. Had their halftime talk reminded the Minch backs to look out for the intercept machine? “Nope” was the answer as 70 metres later Will dotted down under the posts after his customary opportunistic intercept and long distance try cameo. An important conversion gave Stroud the lead at 12-10.

Minch won their own kick off with a great aerial take. Jonty was soon into action with a strong tackle that forced a knock-on and then Stroud earnt a penalty that was kicked up to halfway. Laurie won the throw and Freddie attacked through the middle. Callum and Joe won the ruck/breakdown/meltdown/combat zone/melee* (* = delete as appropriate). Will got the ball and scythed through a gap with a great dummy. As the defenders collapsed onto him the ball came out wide to the winger but the chance went begging. Minch’s powerful scrum secured good ball and Minch tried to run it out from their 22 but Archie was there with back-to-back tackles. Too eager counter rucking was penalised and Minch escaped.

The next phase of play was dominated by Laurie. Lineout win – nothing new there. Then a turnover and steal, and finally a crunching tackle and drag opponent into touch so he could then win the next lineout. Callum and Rhys were equally imposing themselves on the game and forcing Minch to kick the ball away. Will and Myles were always well positioned ready for runbacks. A long kick from Will was chased down by himself so as to remind his backs to stay onside! The Minch fullback ran out of options. Will dumped him and Freddie then stole the ball and looked to score. The ball came out to Dougie and Beau and they smashed into contact but couldn’t get the ball over the line. Minch forced Stroud back a bit but this just gave Will more space to throw a clever inside pass to Laurie who cut back against the grain and looked to have scored a try under immense pressure from 3 tacklers. The ref wasn’t sure. The linesman had gone AWOL so a Stroud scrum 5 was awarded that a strong push secured, but a forward pass fizzled out the attack and the next quarter was finished with Stroud finally in the lead.

Three Quarter Time: Minch 10 – 12 Colts

Minch hadn’t read the match report – probably because I was still making it up in my head…. They kicked to Laurie and he ran it back strongly. Will saw a gap and kicked deep to the corner. The ball went into the dead ball area but a god kick chase forced the defender to knock on. Stroud scrum 5 and the perfect attacking platform. Joe attacked from the base of the scrum but couldn’t score. Minch earnt a penalty and kicked up to halfway. Showing the good banter between the players the Stroud hooker (and half the crowd) reminded the Minch hooker to throw the ball straight in the challenging winds. With his only poor throw of the game the Minch hooker obliged and Stroud opted for a scrum restart. Another powerful shove gave Jonty good ball to work his magic with. The backs attacked but Minch held strong.

Next it was Darion going Rhino and he ran over a few Minch players and 3 cows that had wandered onto the pitch from the common. Minch had some Fresh ideas. Use the Fresians! The cows attacked back with the ball wedged between horns. Jonty didn’t fancy the 800kg of prime beef so went low and took down the runner. Freddie was more combative. He tackled the bull by the horns. Rightfully the ref gave a penalty to Minch. These cows were excellent players. They “hoofed” the ball to the corner showing a pair of Canterburys or Nikes was optional. With Bulls eye precision the Minch herd secured the ball and set up for a lineout drive. Going heavy through the forwards hadn’t worked. Minch went to Plan Z – called up nearby residents Mike and Zara Tindall and got a few event and dressage horses subbed onto the pitch. They pranced around and showed great skill to dance around the Stroud tacklers. Then the polo horses joined the action and showed great ball skills moving the ball left and right. Minch were rewarded for their innovative play and intriguing use of fresian and equine finishers with a well worked try in the corner but the conversion “hoofed” wide.

Common sense took over: the wind chill had numbed the reporters hands and head and he was going delirious. Delia gave him a hand warmer and woolly hat and he was good to see out the rest of the game.

6 minutes to play and the game had swung again back to Minch with them leading 15-12. Would Stroud play for a penalty to get a draw, or go for the victory? We all knew the answer. 5 points minimum….

Will kicked deep and Minch let it bounce into touch to try and kill some time. They won their lineout and attacked through their backs but Jonty and Beau were strong in the tackle. Minch didn’t want to kick the ball away as they knew it would come back quickly! An errant forward pass gave Stroud the scrum restart on the Minch 10. Archie crashed through the middle and was hauled down by desperate tacklers. Stroud showed great composure to move the ball quickly right and attack with Beau and Dougie. Minch were throwing everything into their defensive effort and stayed strong. Laurie and Darion tried to punch over. Jonty went sniping and got pole axed. The rucking was quick and Callum and Joe secured the ball as Minch went looking for a turnover. As bodies were sucked in Will saw the opportunity out left. A big overlap. Loads of backs queueing up for the glory go-ahead try. A long pass found his man. Prop Ben had snuck out into the backs division. How did he find the energy? He’d played 80 minutes and still wanted more! He took the ball cleanly and went on a crunching run. We thought he was drawing the tackler to offload outside for a walk in try for Arthur. Nope - Ben backed himself and took on 2 more tacklers and managed to squeeze over the line as Minch tried to hold him up. Ball placed well and the ref awarded Stroud the try. The Stroud players, coaches and parents went crazy. Minch cried into their ciders. Will kicked the important conversion and Stroud had stolen the lead 19-15 at the death.

We wandered off to the clubhouse to celebrate but the ref wanted more. We were playing 80 minutes remember. Last play we thought. Minch kicked to Mr Dependable. Laurie caught the ball and Stroud controlled the ball. Will kicked deep and Myles put in a blockbuster tackle and Dougie stole the turnover. That’s game we thought and went to the clubhouse to celebrate. Last Play #2 shouted the ref and Stroud had a scrum on halfway but Minch put in a phenomenal shove and stole it. It came out to their backs put the pressure of the occasion forced a knock-on. We all went to the clubhouse to celebrate but we were denied again. Last Play #3 shouted the ref and blew his whistle for full time so the players could get the plaudits from the large crowd that had enjoyed a great battle on the pitch.

Full Time: Minch 15 – 19 Colts

Tunnels and debriefs. Good camaraderie between the teams as always. 100% effort on the pitch but as soon as the final whistle goes back to being friends again.

What a fantastic afternoon’s rugby played with passion by both teams. A rollercoaster of emotions for the watching crowd and the noisy neighbours from ground level had beaten their elevated neighbours from the Common. A nail- biter to the death but a good afternoons sport. It got better. Bath got destroyed at home by Saracens 17 – 71 ! Now that’s the very very noisy neighbours making a statement! Better again. Glos didn’t lose! OK so they didn’t win but a 25-25 draw away from home vs London Irish is respectable.

Thanks to Minch for their hospitality and to the ref for keeping a lid on the players emotions and clear guidance as to the various infringements so there was no confusion over why penalties had been awarded. We look forward to welcoming Minch back to Fromehall early next year for Battle of the Valleys Part 2. I’m sure it will go down to the wire as they always seem to.