ATHOLL COLTS vs. Stirling County Colts 16/03/08

Today's match can only be described as a "tough day at the office" for the Colts. With five of their regular & most experienced forwards unavailable through various reasons (some valid, others not so !!) it forced the younger & vastly less experienced players to step up, not just into new positions but from the back line to the pack !!

The Stirling forwards were not simply big, but ENORMOUS - Atholl on the other hand were unusually "compact" with 15 year-old Kevan Sheriffs at lock & three wingers making up the back row !! The pack was lead tirelessly from hooker by usual inside centre & backup scrum-half, Stuart Bailey.

The wings were occupied by two 14 year-olds (David Colthart & Aiden Hixon) who, like Kevan, had a true baptism of fire. David particularly stood out, making a couple of try-saving tackles & getting Atholl's only score of the match after an intelligent long throw-in was gathered by scrum half & Captain Gareth Walker who attacked at pace to draw in the Stirling defence before moving the ball out wide. Quick handling & a good pass out of contact from Matt Urry saw David dip under the last ditch Stirling tackle to squeeze in the corner & score his first try for Atholl.

The wings were occupied by two 14 year-olds (David Colthart & Aiden Hixon) who, like Kevan, had a true baptism of fire. David particularly stood out, making a couple of try-saving tackles & getting Atholl's only score of the match after an intelligent long throw-in was gathered by scrum half & Captain Gareth Walker who attacked at pace to draw in the Stirling defence before moving the ball out wide. Quick handling & a good pass out of contact from Matt Urry saw David dip under the last ditch Stirling tackle to squeeze in the corner & score his first try for Atholl.

Stirling were made to work hard for every one of their tries by an Atholl side that was never going to lie down & accept defeat. Stirling kept attacking round the fringes of the rucks & from the base of the scrum, but were halted by tough tackling speedster Fraser Potter, who had no respect or fear for the massive Stirling forwards & on several occasions he disrupted the opposition's driving mauls with his strength & determination to fight for the ball.

Full back Ewan Kennedy attacked wonderfully from deep, taking on & beating the Stirling defenders at every opportunity, while debutante James Gellert attacked & defended with equal skill, making several try-saving tackles throughout the game. The break of the day undoubtedly came from Matt Burrows who's step & lightening speed left the Stirling defence rooted to the spot. If not for a last-ditch finger tip tap tackle he surely would have scored the try of the match.

The disappointing score line of 48-5 did not accurately or fairly reflect the effort & commitment of all sixteen Atholl players, who battled on tremendously until the final whistle. No-one typified this more than Gareth, who fought tooth & nail (quite literally at times !!) to stifle the Stirling forwards when in possession, while always taking the ball forward & trying to create attacking opportunities.

The disappointing score line of 48-5 did not accurately or fairly reflect the effort & commitment of all sixteen Atholl players, who battled on tremendously until the final whistle. No-one typified this more than Gareth, who fought tooth & nail (quite literally at times !!) to stifle the Stirling forwards when in possession, while always taking the ball forward & trying to create attacking opportunities.

Today's battered & bruised squad will undoubtedly be wiser for their tough experience at Stirling & with improved commitment from absent squad members the team can look confidently towards next Sunday's fixture in Elgin against Moray Colts.