The Claremorris Colts RFC U-13 team bowed out of the Connacht Cup last week, when they were defeated in the quarter-final by an in-form Ballinasloe.

After just six minutes of play, the Ballinasloe outside centre scored under the posts after the ball was recycled from a maul close to the Claremorris line. They subsequently converted the try, taking an early lead, 7-0.
Seven minutes later, a fine team try from Claremorris was scored by captain Brian Quinn and converted by Ronan Commons to level the scores but 10 minutes later, Ballinasloe won the ball on their scrum and worked it to their outside centre who scored in the corner. The Galway team failed to convert, leaving the score 12-7 to Ballinasloe at half-time.
Two minutes into the second half, Ballinasloe scored again in the corner after a fine break from their full back. Again, they missed the conversion but raced to a 10-point lead.
After 32 minutes and following sustained Ballinasloe pressure, their loose-head prop scored a try under the posts to leave score 24-7.

In an effort to gain control, the Colts brought on Liam Murphy with Roman Commons moving to join Daniel Murphy in the centre of the back line. On 40 minutes, thanks to sustained Colts’ pressure, Brian Quinn scored a try and five minutes later, Stephen McGrail followed suit, with Ronan Commons converting to leave Ballinasloe leading 24-19.

It was too little too late for the Colts however and after 50 minutes, Ballinasloe scored a break-away try after the Colts were unable to convert pressure into a score. The Ballinasloe flanker proceeded to run the whole length of the pitch to score, brining the game to a close on a score line of 29-19.

Colts: Phelim Browne, Adam Gilmore, Ciaran Murphy, Dylan Jennings, Joseph Moran, Brian Quinn (Capt), Colin Breakell, Stephen McGreal, Brandon Walsh, Ronan Commons, Jack Ronayne, Daniel Murphy, Finian Brady, Henry Keane, David Hession, Jason Kelly, Liam Walsh, Dimitry Trench, John O’Connor, Oisin Hunt, Ruairi Merrick, Diarmuid Staunton and Thomas Morris.