Sutton Coldfield Colts v Stafford Colts - 8.10.23

Stafford showed they were a class above their lower division opponents as they ran in nine tries for a comprehensive victory.
In unseasonably warm weather, the Colts got off to a flying start when Seb Conaghan side-stepped two defenders to open the scoring and then added an easy conversion.
That was the taste of things to come and after a strong break from Ben Thomas: the ball was worked to the reliable Jack Raine who made no mistake. Conaghan missing the conversion. On 10 minutes it was the turn of full-back Olly Croft to get in on the act with a clever individual try as he chased his own kick from deep and benefitted from dithering in defence to go over under the posts. Conaghan kicking the extra two points.
The Stafford forwards were not to be outshone in the early try-fest. Ethan Hollins made a powerful break down the centre and neatly off-loaded to prop Callum Stanley to touch down. The flanker was not to be outdone and with 15 minutes gone he bagged a try of his own. Some quick interplay on the run by captain DJ Clements and Raine set Hollins away and he crashed through covering tackles to score.
The visitors were determined not to let their opponents back into the match - this exemplified by a try saving tackle from Stanley when the Sutton winger had the line at his mercy.
Shortly after the first water break the lead was increased with speedy wing Ellis Millard picking up a Coldfield fumble to show his searing pace and finish under the posts - giving Conaghan a straightforward conversion.
There was time for two more tries before half time when first Clements ran the length of the half to get a try his all-round game richly deserved. And then a marauding run from Croft, who slipped a pass out of the tackle to Dylan Shrehorn, and nobody was going to catch the number nine - who then converted his own try.
In between those tries Sutton got their first points on the board when their winger barged through to score. The follow up kick was missed - leaving a 5-54 scoreline at the break.
Such was the dominance of the visitors that the friendly match against their division two opponents was curtailed around 15 minutes early with Stafford able to ensure plenty of game time to their bench and using players out of position. For example, hard-hitting centre Finn Osmant stepped in at eight - and the bizarre sight of Conaghan rising to collect the ball in the line-out as a makeshift flanker.
The raft of changes obviously took time to bed in and for the first time in the match we saw a long passage of play with no further scores - until the hosts managed their second of the game, with a conversion, bringing the score to 12-54.
It was but a moment’s respite for the home side as Stafford made sure they finished the way they had started - with Raine again breaking tackles and wrong footing a final defender to add his second. As if to demonstrate the all-round footballing ability of this Colts squad - prop Matt Turner stepped up to confidently convert and take the Stafford tally to over 60 points.

Coaches Comments:
This was probably a match for the development squad. But we didn’t know what to expect before we came here - although after 10 minutes it was game over. At times we were playing champagne rugby. This gave us the opportunity to change the team around and play people out of position but this will stand us in good stead for the rest of the season. Because of this we did struggle to maintain the level we had been playing at in the opening half - but it was very satisfying to get the final try of the match.
It was pleasing to see Liam Quindos working really well in the loose and second row George McGowen had a solid match. It was good to swap the half backs around - and to give a run at number 10 to Henry Ralphs. It is pleasing to see how quick both age groups have come together having cohesion and a great team spirit.