Angus Colts
Clacks Colts RFC (Under 18) 12 - Angus Colts (Under 18) 13
Angus Colts Under18s rugby team travelled to Alloa on Saturday in a Midlands 2nd Division match against a much bigger Clacks Colts side. The Clacks team have been performing well in the league and had only lost one of their 5 league matches to date and sitting a credible second in the league.
The game kicked off and the Angus side were immediately put under pressure from the big Clacks forwards and it wasn’t until 10 minutes into the game that the first foray into the Clacks half was made by the Angus side. Strong tackling especially from Liness and Falconer kept the Angus side in the game but the pressure soon told when on the 20 minute mark the Clacks pack rumbled over the try line for the first score which was converted.
Immediately from the restart the Clacks team lost concentration and scrum half Philip Ryan nipped around the blind side to run half the length of the pitch and score beneath the posts. Pattullo converted his try.
The Angus team now knew they were in a game they could win for although the Clacks team had the size the Angus team were showing the guile and determination of a team with spirit. Stewart Lawrie, playing at centre, made a lovely break and grubber kicked the ball into the opposition 22 only to be cynically tackled off the ball when it was certain that he would score a try. The referee immediately yellow carded the offending player but declined to award the deserved penalty try. Pattullo kicked the penalty for the Angus team to take the lead.
From the restart Angus again made a foray into the Clacks half and at a ruck over vigorous use of the feet on an Angus Player gained a second yellow card this time for the Clacks stand off who was sent to join his team mate in the sin bin.
Angus now had the best part of 10 minutes to make their 2 man advantage tell but a series of poor decisions and “white line fever” meant that the score stayed the same.
Half Time Clacks Colts 7 Angus Colts 10
The second half commenced with a mistake from the Clacks kick off which resulted in a scrum on half way. The game was evenly poised now with both sides talking well and playing some lovely rugby. Harley Ross at hooker was putting his body on the line at every opportunity and the back 3 of Ferguson, Pattullo and Whyte were making excellent tackles to stop the Clacks team from scoring.
A dubious penalty for obstruction 5 metres from the Angus line was quickly taken and the ball passed to one of the massive Clacks players who crashed over the line for a try. The kick was missed but now the Clacks team were 2 points ahead.
10 minutes from time indiscipline from the Clacks team resulted in a penalty and the referee them marched them 10 metres closer to their own posts for dissent. Pattullo stepped up and kicked the 3 points from 45 metres for Angus to take a one point lead.
The remainder of the game seemed like a lifetime for the Angus team as they tackled time and again to keep the Clacks team from scoring but the final whistle eventually came and the Angus team had won by the narrowest of away victories for the second week running!
Final Score Clacks Colts 12, Angus Colts 13.
A fine team performance especially considering the number of injuries in the squad this week
Team: Pattullo, Whyte, Falconer, Lawrie, Bowles, P Ryan, Cameron, Ross, Barnett, Scott, Bain, Mills, Forteath, Liness, Leiper, Webster
The future of rugby is now looking very good in Angus. Development Officer Kenny Christie has been doing great work getting around the high schools to start schools rugby again and started in Carnoustie High on Wednesday the 31st October. Any boys from s1 to s6 interested in playing for the school should contact Mr Arbuthnott or Mr MacInally.
Falkirk (U16) 17 Angus Colts (U16) 43
Angus Colts under 16 team travelled to Falkirk last Sunday in the Midland U16 2nd Division league match. Angus kicked off and put Falkirk under pressure from the start. The ball went into touch in the Falkirk half and a quick 4 man lineout enabled Shepherd to make a clean break which was supported by Feighan who scored after 5 minutes.
The Falkirk team then rallied themselves and applied pressure through their forwards who, once in possession, were hard to stop. They levelled the match with a well worked forwards try but failed the conversion. Angus then struck back at the Falkirk team and Lees, in only his 3rd game, scored a great try which Feighan converted to give the Angus team a half time lead.
Half Time Falkirk 5 Angus Colts 12
The second half once again saw the fitness of the Angus team show great dividends. The Angus forwards rucked well and quick ball was put to good use.
Feighan crashed over for a try which he converted and Hampton’s direct running made inroads into deep into Falkirk territory. Fast thinking by Carnegie from a penalty saw him break, beat 2 men and slip a fine pass to Johns who put Feighan in at the corner.
Shortly after the restart, Hampton took a crash ball and showed a great turn of speed to score.
The big, heavy Falkirk forwards then took the game to Angus and set up rolling mauls to score 2 tries in succession.
Hampton then, once again, struck back and burst through several tackles to score. Angus kept the best to last with the ball going through the hands of all the forwards and then moved out to Lees whose pace saw him home and dry for a great try.
Final Score Falkirk 17 - Angus Colts 43
A good all round display with some fine rucking and lineout work.
Angus Colts train at RM Condor on Thursday evenings. Any players interested in playing please meet at the main gate at 6.45pm or contact Bill Bowles on 07932 749463.