The Claremorris Colts U13’s traveled to Monivea on Sunday the 20th of November to pit themselves against a typically big Monivea RFC team. Undaunted by the size of the opposition, the Colts got stuck straight into Monivea from the kick-off with Brian McWalters playing in the 10 shirt, striking first for Claremorris in the 5th minute. The ball was moved wide around the Monivea flanks where ‘Big Brian’ scooted right around a flailing defence and touched the ball down close to the Monivea posts. Jack Melvin tacked on two more points with his conversion leaving the score 0-7 to the Colts.
Monivea used their size advantage and struck back with two tries leaving it 10 -7 to the home side at half time. Coach Mike Smith ‘encouraged’ the Claremorris Colts U13’s at half time and it worked. Straight after the restart, the Colts moved the ball through the hands and swept the ball out to the flanks again. This time it was number 8 and Captain Jack Creighton who crossed the white wash and pushed the score out to 10-12 to Claremorris’s advantage. Jack Melvin’s golden boot let him down somewhat this time, as the conversion attempt bounced back off the cross bar.
James Finn made a great run down the side-line not long after, but was denied a try by a last gasp Monivea tackle. The tide turned somewhat against Claremorris in the last 15 minutes. Monivea kept up the pressure and kept Claremorris in their own 22. Despite some good defence from the Colts, Monivea finally got through to score the final try of the match and they got their conversion.
So 17-12 it finished up to Monivea. It was a highly entertaining match for those of us on the side line and all agreed that the two teams were well matched. Back to training on Friday night for the Claremorris Colts U13’s !