Luctonians Colts v Stafford Colts - 26.11.23

Stafford Colts moved up to second place in the league with their most ‘accomplished’ performance to date and register yet another victory on the road.
Three quality whole team tries had the coaches purring with what was described as an ‘awesome’ display - knowing that not many teams will come away with much from a strong Luctonians outfit.
There could have been no arguments if an air of pessimism prevailed around the travelling contingent when the home side twice found gaps through the centre of the defence - and making the second one count to put Stafford 7-0 down with only three minutes on the clock.
But the Colts were not going to let that early set back dictate the course of the game - and five minutes later they struck back. From a solid scrum the ball went through the hands of Sam Edwards, Seb Conaghan and Finn Osmant who fed to Aidan Barker for the winger to go over in the corner. Conaghan missed the difficult conversion.
Barker was returning to league action after injury - and was determined to make up for lost time. Minutes later he was called on for defensive duties, gathering a high cross-field attempt safely and evading the oncoming tackles to clear danger.
For the next ten minutes Stafford earned their corn with a huge rearguard action to stop their hosts increasing the lead. And that defensive solidity was to be the perfect platform for one of the best team tries this Colts side has scored.
The forwards led by the indefatigable Harry Woolman set up phase after phase, wearing the home side down and recycling possession to the backs. Just about every forward was involved as they went from one end of the pitch to the other, protecting the ball until it was finally shipped out to Barker who again sped in for his second try. A misfiring Conaghan should have added the two points.
The pressure exerted by Stafford forced their hosts to start kicking away a lot of ball and Stafford deservedly went into the break 7-10 up.
The Colts intensity was the highest it had been with Woolman and captain DJ Clements leading the way - but the rest of the pack need to take a bow as they drove a solid Luctonian side back time and time again. This was all the more impressive as Stafford had to replace Matt Turner because of an ankle injury only minutes into the game - in what was already a much much-changed front row. The only downside to an emphatic forwards performance was that worryingly vice-captain Will Smith (knee), Clements (knee) and Joben Corcoren also limped off late on.
There was no let-up in the intensity in the second half with the tempo set immediately from the kick off with substitute Henry Perks, another returning from injury, nailing his opposite number with a shuddering tackle. From then on the Colts never looked back.
It wasn’t long before they got the scoreboard ticking along when replacement scrum half Dylan Shrehorn kicked a penalty from 30 metres. And minutes after, from a deliberate knock on, Sherhorn made no mistake collecting another three-point penalty from a tricky angle - and extending their lead to 7-16.
The only wobble took place on 55 minutes when a silly penalty inside the 22 could have resulted in Luctonians getting a foothold back in the game - but once again a strong line defence repelled a flurry of attacks.
The game was put beyond doubt just past the hour. Perks made a powerful run and then caught his own kick. Charlie Kirby took it on and once again the team went through the phases, offloading at just the right time, keeping possession, and driving purposely as Woolman, Clements, Fin Osmant and James Reay to name only a few continued to make strong carries before Shrehorn popped up to increase his points tally with a clever run in - then converted his own try.
The Colts even had the luxury of a missed penalty before their try when Conaghan was obstructed after a cheeky kick through.
Even a late try from Luctonians, following a strong driving maul, could not take the shine off a superb Colts performance which moved them up into second place in the league.

Coaches Comments.
Today was the most accomplished game to date. The forwards and the backs connected throughout the entire game. And even after Luctonians scored early doors we never panicked. Our game management was very good - taking the three points on offer when we could and controlling the pace when required.
If there was one player who consistently kept us on the front foot, it was Harry Woolman. DJs captaincy was superb - and the speech he gave to the others at half time was inspiring.
It was just awesome to watch. Today we showed a great offensive game - forwards providing the platform for the backs - but this was on the back of a great defensive display that had Luctonians on the back foot, and that was impressive.