Aldwinians RFU Colts v WPRFC Colts
Not the season opener we were planning as Chester colts had to pull out, but Aldwinians offered us a match. So we set of up the M56 to East Manchester for our first proper game of the season. Several players were still on holidays, but we had 16 lads and a good balance between backs and forwards – even if the odd player was out of position.
Aldwinians had similar problems and were missing props which became very obvious after just two scrums where our front row of Bruce, Rhys and James drove them off the ball so far the referee had to call for uncontested scrums. Our pack were very much on top in the loose and some superb defence got us a penalty that we kicked towards the corner. Line out jumping was a problem for us earlier in the summer, but Callum and Evan in the second row won all their ball today and the back row took full advantage to drive the ball up close to the try line for Rhys to crash over.
The backs were beginning to take full advantage of the turnover ball the loose forwards were getting (Ethan, Ben and Frank) with Charlie cutting through for another.
Sustained pressure took us close to the line for Rhys to grab a second.
Subs were swopped ready for the second 20 minute with Lewis coming into the front row, but Aldwinians were still not keeping the ball and getting picked off. Mikey had a dart at the line from the back of a ruck before Bruce got hold of the ball and was driven over for a fourth before Ben grabbed another for the forwards with driving runs of the ruck.
Mikey and Alex were getting the ball out wide for Charlie and Will to run some hard lines and break through the defence for Trystan to finish off on the wing with a sixth try before the break.
The second half started in similar vein with the backs beginning to cut through a tired defence. Aldwinians starting kicking in desperation, but MJ, Trystan and Josh had the back well covered and ran the ball back, the ball ending up with Will in midfield finishing with a great 50 meter run. MJ made a similar break down the wing for Trystan to convert followed by a skillful chip and pick up to go over by Charlie.
Two further tries by Trystan and Charlie finished a very successful trip. Conversions were shared between Trystan and Charlie with Mikey getting a late look in too.
Final Score was 0-73
Tougher game next week with Vale of Lune visiting Burrows Hill for our first League match.
