The Claremorris Colts U13 rugby team, captained by Luke Colleran, faced Corrib RFC at home in Dunmore on Sunday the 4th of December and went down on a scoreline of 26-29 after a hard fought 50 minutes of rugby.
The Corrib team contained a number of large players who the Colts would have to contend with throughout the match. Corrib were first to put on the pressure and had the Claremorris Colts U13 rugby team pinned down in their own 22. However, Corrib conceded a penalty and the tap and go was flicked over to Brian McWalters. ‘Big Brian’ proceeded to waltz straight through all of Corrib’s 15 players and touched down under the posts. Jack Melvin took the two extra points on offer with a win conversion.
Corrib came back and made full use of their big men. They punched through the Colts defence to make it 7-7 and shortly afterwards they used the same tactics to make it 12 – 7. The Colts came right back into the game and hammered away at the Corrib line in the last minutes of the first half. However, too many unsupported runs resulted in the ball being turned over to Corrib and the Colts came into the break still 5 points down.
Claremorris had the advantage of the hill in the second half and shot out of the traps straight after the break. Jack Melvin weaved a bit of magic and ran around the Corrib defence to touchdown and tie the scoreline at 12-12. The conversion attempt was missed. Corrib struck back using their heavy pack and scored two more tries to make it to 12 points to 24. The Colts contributed to their woes during this period by not securing their rucks and by giving the opposition too much space to build up momentum.
Just when it looked like the match was only going one way, the Colts dug deep and started to move the ball wide. Talisman Brian McWalters charged through the Corrib defence to make it 17-24 which Jack Melvin converted to bring the score to 19-24. Next came the best phase of play from the Colts. Jack Melvin made an electric run down the wing. This time the Colts supporting runs payed off and Captain Luke Colleran was at hand to run down the side line to score a try. 24 – 24. Jack Melvin solid kicking put the Colts ahead 26-24 with two minutes to play. It was electric stuff and parents and supporters were relishing this griping battle.
The Colts had to hold out to secure the win and big tackles were going in to stop the Corrib boys. Unfortunately right at the death Corrib got the ball and trundled across the Claremorris whitewash to snatch victory away from the Colts on a final score line of 26-29.
This was a tough lesson for the Claremorris Colts U13 rugby team on the importance of holding on to the ball and closing out a match. Still they showed great character and resolve against a much bigger team. Onwards and upwards lads!