The Colts U13’s got back on the horse after last weekend’s Ballinasloe defeat with a fine all round team performance and win over Ballina in Claremorris on Saturday.

As is the norm the Colts made a good start and were 6-0 within eight minutes thanks to to steady right boot of outhalf Kyle Leonard who knocked over two penalties with ease. He was also involved in the game’s opening try on eleven minutes.

When Matthew Vahey and Dylan Morris made good ground inside the Ballina 22′ Kyle’s quick thinking saw him touchdown in the corner. He also kicked over the difficult conversion for a healthy 13-0 lead. 

Although doing well going forward Ballina were starting to find gaps in the Colts defence. It was through these gaps that Ballina scored when after sucking in the Colts defenders they moved the ball to cross under the posts to reduce their arrears to 13-7. As the half entered the final minutes the Colts forwards worked the ball into a good over the Ballina line. Matthew Merrick was the man who emerged from under a pile of bodies to claim the try which meant the Colts lead 18-7 at half time.

The Colts continued their good attacking play in the second half with Peter Cunningham, Dylan Nevin and Matthew Merrick making numerous good runs in the second half. This dominance of possession allowed the Colts to score a further two tries. The first came from the quick feet of Dylan Morris when he spotted open space in the Ballina defence.

The Colts fourth try was all about the forwards. After a rock steady scrum Thomas Kean picked from the back off the scrum to score under the posts. Matthew Vahey added the conversion to guarantee the win. Ballina got the game’s final score when they turned over possession before scoring under the posts as the game ended in an excellent 30-14 Colts win.

Colts Squad: A Vahey, S Thornton, K Leonard, D Morris, A Conway, C Toughey, M Merrick, P Cunningham, D Nevin, C Quinn, M Vahey, L Byrne, J Connaughton, L Halligan, S Halligan, S Hession, M Kelly, C Kennedy, C Kilcullen, C Phillips, M Pilbrow, E Prendergast, T Kean, J Lydon, P Kirrane, C Joyce