A great advert for Colts rugby. Fast paced, run everything, simple mistakes contrasted by moments of brilliance, a good spirit between the teams and lip to the ref. The last one nearly costs the Colts dear as Bees made a spirited comeback towards the end of the second half.
Walsall should have been comfortable victors after a pick up and go No. 8 try from Danny Poole, converted by Robert Angel, got the scoreboard moving. The lead was extended as Aaron Chew ’s wiper clearance turned into a cross field kick and Richard Baker showed a clean pair of heels to the Bees covering defence. As one of their players succinctly said “He’s f****n’ quick, no shame in that try”. And yes he’s that quick! Walsall were having to work hard to maintain their lead as Bees pressed hard up front but lacked the penetration or pace across the back line to break the Bear’s defence.
The second half was similar to the first with Walsall looking solid in defence. Rhys Barry crossed in the corner to finish a well crafted try and there seemed to be only one side in it. As the half progressed, however, Bees slowly started to exert some pressure using the driving power of their forwards from line outs and rucks to power through the defence. No surprise the first try came this way as Walsall failed to sack the line out and were driven over their own line. Indiscipline and offside’s started to become a recurring theme for the ref’s whistle and this gave Bees easy yards which had been so vigorously defended in the first half. Bees crossed again for a second score and that left just a 5 point margin and some uneasy travelling spectators for the last 10 minutes. The final play of the game saw Bees try a 15 man maul from a line out in the Walsall 22 that made all to rapid progress towards the try line. Through luck (or some other method!) this fell agonisingly short and the ref’s whistle brought welcome relief to visiting Colts.

Defeat was nearly snatched from the jaws of victory and back chat played a major part in that. The game could have been put to bed with better handling and decision making in the 22; white line fever seemed to rule here at times. Secondly, good, bad or indifferent, the game cannot take place without the ref’ so get on with your own game and make the opposition earn every metre on that pitch. What's more, if you are moaning at the ref’, who’s covering your defensive position? Key players need to spend more time playing rugby and letting the man in the middle make the decisions. In nearly cost the team dear today.
My thoughts, feel free to disagree…