Luctonians 34 Vs Stafford 10

A long drive to Herefordshire on a grey cold afternoon was one that am sure we thought could provide a pleasant drive back, and for 60 minutes it looked like the Colts could push on and do it.
However today wasn’t that day.
Rewind 80 minutes and a heavy pitch, no wind, cold temperatures and some players maybe not at 100% were what the colts had to deal with, and they started well. The first Luctonians break was snuffed out as Ellis tackled out wide and Mason as always was there to jackal and set his standout.
It was clear that both teams were looking to kick behind and try and turn each other, then once players were sucked in, they would hit wide which is what the home team did to start the scoring (7-0).
But the colts were growing into the game, Finn and Freddie carried every missed touch back and Morgan was adding to the clearance with his left foot. Add on good chases by Marley and Tyler, and the game was evenly balanced.
Despite this, every time we had a promising position a penalty would change the direction of play, whether it was not releasing or a high tackle, we couldn’t quite get out of our own way. Eventually following a clever cross kick from Morgan, the pressure on the home team back three provided a penalty with Logan getting over the ball and Ellis would nudge it over to close the gap. (7-3)
Before halftime though the penalty counts in our own 22 would start to mount with offsides preventing the clearance. Last week we couldn’t defend the short penalty, this week, although Lucts would eventually score, it was pleasing to count 7 phases repelled on the goal line by the forwards with all of the players getting low and putting themselves in the firing line.
The second half and the lads went back to business, good defence would lead to a penalty to clear our line, and the backs soon got it wide to make ground and when another penalty was conceded in the Lucts 22, the forwards decided it was their turn. Another work on recently has been patience when faced with short yards to the try line. This time, with the assistance of two penalties Stafford knocked on the door for fourteen phases and eventually Logan would power through a gap for a try to narrow the gap to 2pts. (12-10 Harry W conv).
We hoped this would be the time for the team to grab this game by the scruff and take control, and for the next 5 minutes they did just that. Freddie was clean at fullback taking clearances on the run and making ground, James was carrying big in short, and Jonah was around every ruck. Ashton was causing havoc in every scrum.
It was a pity then that the last 20mins, the tanks started to empty and the discipline in defence that had been on show started to wain and the lineout failed to function. The home team would then take over and despite, but bright moments would score 4 tries in the last 20.
It was a tough score to swallow as it would suggest that this was a one-way game, which it definitely wasn’t for the first 60mins.
But it provides work ons not just for the team but also for the individuals.
So, we move on, two weekends with Friday night games against Longton and Tamworth, so hopefully some players in the wider squad can get plenty pf game time.
With 12 fixtures left its time to see what character the team and the players have, how much do they want W’s instead of L’s and for those older, how they want to leave the shirt they’ve had for their time in Colts.