Taunton Colts 73 Gordano Colts 8

It is always a pleasure to go and watch the next generation play rugby and, in this game, a good crowd was treated to a feast of quality tries, 12 in all. Gordano kicked off and when Taunton fielded the ball they were put under pressure by a larger and very robust pack. Things looked ominous for Taunton when the ball was turned over and Gordano started driving at them. However, they managed to win back possession and release Freddie McNab whose skills and pace were devastating and from his own 22 he took the ball well into the Gordano half before passing on to number 8 Jack Gridland to go in for the try which Jack Hiett converted. Back come Gordano from the re-start and again Taunton move the ball wide and the blistering pace of centre Ethan Norris took him through the gap he was then able to pass on to scrum half George Gray to finish off a move which started in the Taunton 22 Jack Hiett again converted.  After just 5 minutes Taunton had 14 points on the board.  The next ten minutes went into a bit of a lean period for Taunton who conceded 5 penalties in that time however Taunton defended well and kept the opposition score line to nil.  On 15 minutes Kai Conlon who seems to have immense vision and to be able to thread through the narrowest of gaps, made the break before passing on to Teddy Hobbs whose speed is immense, to score the try.  The changes had rung so Jack was on the side line Kai who had started the move kicked the conversion.  Try number four came after some good build up play from the forwards which allowed second row Sam Leach to break from the ruck and outpace the defence for the try. Finn Woodgate-Jones calmly stepped up to convert the try with a dropkick.  Opportunities went by  with Taunton conceding more penalties, 11 for the first half as a whole.  The last try of the half came from another blistering break by Freddie McNab from well in his own half and once again George Gray was there to reap the benefit of the try which Finn converted.

It was a job to recognise who was on the pitch and who was resting with the rolling on and off of players but the second half started with Jack Hiett being back in the centre  George Gray fed him from the ruck and his pass put Ethan into space where he burst through the defensive line before handing on to Freddy McNab for the try. The conversion was routine for Jack, Gordano then had a prolonged period of possession but such was the Taunton defence at repelling them they opted to make a drop goal to give them three points.  Try number 7 from Taunton was apiece of sheer brilliance and pace from Teddy Hobbs whose pace and acceleration is astounding.  He gathered the ball in his own half and completely outpaced the defence for the try, Jack had a rare miss with the conversion.  Finn from fullback was regularly coming in to the line and creating overlaps for others however he kept the ball to speed through for the eighth try which Jack converted. The score had now passed the 50-point differential and the referee asked the opposition if they wanted to continue.  Such was the spirit of the game they continued.  Taunton who reduced the number of penalties conceded in the second half to just 7 conceded one which allowed Gordano to clear their line. However, it did not make touch and Harry Gridland fielded the ball driving at Gordano, he off loaded to Ethan who burst through the gap to set Teddy Hobbs in for the try which Jack converted.  Try number ten was another tribute to Teddy Hobbs pace and ability when he gathered 40 metres out and raced for the corner.  Jack missed the conversion.  Back came Gordano using their size and power to camp in the Taunton corner.  Their power eventually paid off when from a penalty they rucked and mauled to score a well deserved try.  The last try of the game came from prop Will Alway who burst from the maul on the halfway line and completely outpaced the opposition to score under the posts for Jack to convert.

It was well worth me travelling the 100 miles to see this group of young men 50% of whom are still under seventeens playing in this well coached and managed set up.  As an Officer of the club, I must now have a duty to make sure that we are able to keep this talent within our fold and to give them a pathway into men’s rugby.

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