It was a day of mixed emotions in Dunmore on Sunday as the Colts U13 squad suffered their first defeat of the season in round seven of the Connacht rugby league. However although defeated the Colts put in a heroic performance right throughout the game.

The Colts made a bright start and were in front after six minutes. The Galway boys were penalised for hands in the ruck which allowed Kyle Leonard kick his side in front. For the majority of the first half Ballinasloe were the dominant force however they could not breach the watertight Colts defence. Late in the half the Colts nearly had a breakthrough when Kyle Leonard popped off to the onrushing Dylan Morris who cut through the Ballinasloe defence, however he was caught just before the line and the Colts had to make do with a 3-0 halftime lead.

Ballinasloe started the second half much better than the hosts and had the game’s opening try on 31 minutes. A mix up in the Colts defence allowed Ballinasloe touch down in the corner and suddenly it was 3-7 in favour of the visitors.

To their credit the Colts responded immediately. When Ballinasloe were penalised for being ahead of the kicker up stepped Kyle Leonard to the cut difference to the bare minimum with 18 minutes left to play.

Try as they might however the Colts could not get the match winning score their spirited performance deserved. As the game ticked into their final minutes and when the crowd were at their most vocal the game was finally decided in Ballinasloe’s favour. After good work from a scrum they worked the ball through their backs before crossing in the corner to clinch the win. The conversion wasn’t added as they ran out 12-6 winners.

It was a tough defeat for the Colts who had chances to win the game but it wasn’t to be, however all involved cannot be faulted for their effort. Just as one swallow doesn’t make a summer neither does one defeat spell the end of the season as this group still have two league games left to play before hopefully what is an extended cup run. Next up is a league encounter with Ballina next weekend.

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