Yatton Colts v Taunton Colts

Watching this group of 16- and 17-years old players gives a view to the future of just how much talent there is coming through Taunton’s youth squad and credit must be given to each and every one of these players and whilst some scored tries others were in support to allow this to happen.  Credit must also go to Martin Hiett and his team of coaches for the way that he has structured and coached this team.  Martin has a squad of 48 players, 8 are in private education and cannot play until after Christmas, 10 were taken today for the Somerset squad and some were away on half term holidays.  He was playing with 5 props in different positions although the way they ran, tackled and passed the ball you would not know that they were props.

The first try came after only three-minutes of the game.  Yatton kicked off and the ball was fielded and taken forward with a number of well organised drives.  Scrum half George Gray then made the break and it seemed he was stopped just short of the left-hand corner where he seemed to pass for the try but his teammates assured us that was just a dummy and he went in himself.  Kai Conlon made a good attempt at the conversion but it went just wide.  Just three minutes later and Taunton go in for their second try.  Having conceded a penalty Yatton kicked to touch but Sam Leach leapt high next to the touchline, taking the ball well above his head and then running at the opposition two pieces of contact and two pivots set him clear and he passed on to Kai Conlon who scored under the posts and then converted the try giving the Taunton Colts a 12-point lead.  Yatton then gained some possession and looked threatening behind the scrum with ball in hand.  Taunton give away a penalty and Yatton kick to touch win the ball for a catch and maul to the line but some outstanding defence by the forwards kept them out and Taunton were able to clear their line.  From the clearance Yatton were able to move the ball wide and their winger outpaced the Taunton defence for a well-constructed try which was converted.

With only 5-points in the game things were starting to look tight and this was further exacerbated when on 17-minutes Taunton received a yellow card. Yatton kicked to the corner, caught at the lineout and mauled towards the Taunton line but the well-disciplined Taunton pack pushed them back and turned the ball over to clear their lines but not by kicking but by attacking with ball in hand.  From some good possession Sam Leach burst though made about 35metres before passing on to the “Pocket Rocket” Jarryd Mosman to score the try which Kai converted.  Why the Pocket Rocket because he was everywhere in support, in defence, in attack and always with pace and always with purpose.  On speaking to coach Martin after the game about Jarryd he said that he had 14 positions filled on the park and a Jarryd.  He might play him at number 8 but gives him freedom to display his talents and he most certainly did this.  Try number 4 came from a piece of brilliance by hooker Ashton Howe who robbed the opposition of the ball made the half break to feed backrow forward Sam Leach.  Several sidesteps and blistering pace later Sam scored for Kai to covert.  Try number five was scored by Jarryd after scrum half George Gray took a quick tap was supported by big second row Matthews and no not Jack, but Scott who really put some drive into the move before passing on to Jarryd.  The try was not converted  and left the halftime score at Yatton 7Taunton 31.

After just 4-minutes of the second half the speed and awareness of George Gray saw him take a quick tap penalty and set off with a jinking run on his shoulder and in support was the ever-present Sam Leach who has the physique of a back row forward, which he is, but the pace of a winger and no one was going to catch him for the sixth try which Jack Hiett converted.  The seventh try by prop Ben Trussler was well deserved.  He started off the game on the wing but in ringing the changes he was able to go into his preferred position of prop.  Try number eight was scored by Jack Hiett playing in the centre created from some good work by the forwards with George recycling the ball to Kai who set his inside centre away for the try.  Try number eight came from my moment of the match.  Yatton have some good possession and made ground to inside the Taunton half. Prop Charlie Harris makes the tackle and within the blink of an eye is on his feet, getting his hands on the ball, rips it from the grasp of the Yatton player and breaks off.  The ever-present Jarryd is there to take the ball on and passes to Sam Leach and there is no stopping him getting his hat-trick try taking the score to 53-points and with Jacks conversion55.  The last try of the afternoon came from a textbook three quarter move with the centres releasing wing Lewis Waddon in space.  This allowed him to use his pace and go for the corner.  The Try was almost a replica of the New Zealand final try on Saturday.  With the cover defence closing him down he dived for the line to touch down one handed before being pushed over the dead ball line and corner flag.  Shear determination and skill on his part. This brought the game to an end although only 50 minutes of the 70 had been played Taunton were now in excess of 50 points in front of the opposition.  A rule in Colts Rugby.

What a breath-taking performance from this team.  They were quicker to the breakdown and quicker in recycling the ball scrum half George was nearly always first to the breakdown and if he wasn’t there then Jarryd was.  The organisation at the rucks was extremely well coached and this created opportunities when the ball was recycled.  There are some exciting players and in two years’ time when they come into adult rugby there is the possibility of a real enhancement to the senior sides.  We as a club must support these young lads and make sure that the pathway for them is secure.  My thanks must go to the parents, friends and younger age group coaches who were there in support and were able to tell me the names of the players. As members and supporters of the Rugby Club I would make a request for many of you to turn out and watch and support our players of the future.

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