Beaten By the Cold
Nuneaton Colts 10 Broadstreet Colts 5
Having lost 0 – 12 at home in September, Broadstreet U 19s were looking to improve on that score, even to reverse the result against a big and organised Nuneaton U19 side. Improve the score, ‘Street did, but the win slipped through their fingers, literally, with several try scoring passes going astray.
Long Injury Delay
Playing down the slope first half, Nuneaton looked the more powerful and threatening as they ran in an all too easy overlap try after 20 minutes to take a 5 – 0 lead. ‘Street had a few sorties into their opponent’s half, mainly through pacy winger Richard Smith, but when they did; possession was either kicked away or turned over, as ‘Street stood off Nuns bigger forwards. However, Stout defence, with captain Joe Berry, Ross Clarke and Sam Cullinane to the fore, ensured that the hosts were unable to increase their lead during the first half; which ended a few minutes early due to a neck injury to ‘Street loose head prop, Kane Pickles, requiring a precautionary ambulance trip to hospital for a check up. [Pleased to report that the injury is not serious – thought to be a “stinger”]
Different Attitude
Play resumed 40 minutes later and a different ‘Street attitude prevailed, although, like the first half, kicking options still left a lot to be desired. Nevertheless, rucking and running, in particular, and all round play, in general, vastly improved and ‘Street dominated territory and possession for the first 15 minutes, however, dropped and misdirected passes (both sides’ shirts being similar in colour and design) denied them several scoring opportunities, before Nuns eventually kicked their way into ‘Street’s half.
Failed to Clear Lines
Twice ‘Street regained possession and had chances to kick long back into Nuns territory but, instead, chose to run the ball out of defence, getting no further than their own 10 metre line before surrendering back possession. From a scrum on this line, Nuns side-stepping left wing made ground to near ‘Street’s line where Nuns big forwards eventually powered their way over, despite ‘Street’s forwards resisting heroically. Nuneaton 10 Broadstreet 0
Reward
Undaunted ‘Street went on the offensive and again created chances to take the game, through the backs, off good forward ball, but miss-passes and unkind bounces of the ball denying them until 25 minutes, another line- breaking attack by ‘Street’s threequarters rewarded centre Leighton Clarke with a touch down. He was unable to convert his own try.
Early Finish
Immediately after the conversion attempt and with 10 minutes of normal time remaining, the referee, quite reasonably, called a halt to the game due to the dropping temperature, the worsening light and the pitch becoming icier in patches. Being in the ascendancy at the time ‘Street’s players were disappointed, feeling that they could have taken the game but, all considered, the decision was sensible and Nuns just about earned a narrow 10 - 5 win.
Team
:Taylor, Zahorodnxj, Leighton Clarke, Howland, Smith, Holmes, Brittain, Pickles, Davies, Bonsor, Robinson, Staunton, Cullinane, Ross Clarke, Joe Berry(C).
Replacements:
Fraser, Stewart, Pennington, Lowery
