Colts kick off 2022

03/05/2022

It was a typical welcome to subbies for Brothers Colts. The draw for the competition still hasn’t been finalised and our first opponent was only named two days before the game, the venue was only secured the afternoon before the game and some of the jerseys were a little on the tight side. But the resurrected Brothers Colts team took on a numerically superior and willing team in Northern Saints (formerly St Ives). We were able to put together 14 young men, and with the assistance of a couple of guys young at heart (thanks Liam, Eddie and Tristan) we were able to put 15 on the field.https://www.brothersrugby.com.au/wp-admin/post.php?post=111849&action=edit#

For nearly everyone it had been two years since they last played, we hadn’t been able to train, a couple had only played a handful of games and for Jake Smith it was his first match (and his first yellow card). So all things considered it was a very satisfying start to the season. While combinations on both sides were lacking and there was lots of spilled ball, both teams ran hard with the ball, tackled their hearts out and contested everything.

The game turned on a couple of moments – a defensive gap near the ref where we didn’t talk to each other that the opposition exploited, and another where we turned our backs after a pretty bad decision against us. These led to tries out of nowhere really and with a bit more attentiveness they wouldn’t have happened. We finished with a wet sail and the fact that we scored last (with a great sideline conversion from Liam) says a lot about the character of the team. We were on the wrong side of the ledger and went down 19-7 and we probably learnt a good lesson – they had fewer try-scoring opportunities but took them and we had more but didn’t. Their defence was strong and it was a good way to understand the standard at this level.

Everyone played really well and certainly the effort couldn’t be faulted. Nathan Le received a pass from Leo that arrived at him a nanosecond before the St Ives player did. A lesser man would have dropped it but Nathan took the hit and got up with ball in hand. It is always hard to single out players but we gave three points to Harrison Henson for his hard running in the centres, Chris Salem got two for his willingness to pick and drive all day and to defend close to the ruck, while Ryan Foley got a point for his tireless defensive effort. An honourable mention to Josh Drevon for driving all the way to Manly after playing for Randwick Colts – exactly the type of commitment we want.

It is only a short season so from here, we need to get to training on Wednesdays and keep on recruiting our mates and brothers of mates to cover gaps as players can’t make it on a particular day. On the field we need to make sure we pay attention to what’s going on, builed up phases before throwing it wide, don’t talk back to the ref and start communicating with each other so we fill any defensive gaps. On the plus side the team showed fabulous commitment to each other which can’t be coached, our tackling was generally good and the running with ball in hand was strong. The combinations will come with training and match practice.

Best of all, judging from the smiles, laughs and chat after the game everyone seemed to have had a good time. And that after all, is what the game is about.

Next Game: Macquarie Uni - Ground and Kick off time TBC

We're looking for U21 players. If you'd like to join our colts team, or just find out more info, call Rodger Shanahan on 0447 440 366. We train Wednesday nights at Roseville Chase Oval from 7pm. Feel free to drop in.

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