There was something in the water at ANU on Saturday. Right from the get-go the Colts seemed a bit flat, a bit disconnected and didn’t bring the intensity they’ve displayed in the last few rounds. Play was erratic, maybe desperate. It was an important game for us.
Maybe it was the warm winter’s day that was to blame. It was in stark contrast to the previous artic temperatures we’ve endured. Whatever it was, let’s hope it’s done and dusted for the season and we can return to the great Rugby the lads have played this season.
Lessons learnt from last week really helped us stay in the fight. Penalties and turnovers were kept at bay with good discipline … for the most part. Last week we were laser focused on our job and let the ref do his. This week some of that poor discipline crept back in to the game occasionally and cost us.
When we found structure, the patience, control of tempo and subsequent multiple phases led to great field position. The resulting pressure we put on the Uni defence was converted in to points. When we were disconnected and pedestrian/lazy in execution, we failed to build that pressure. No points.
Our defence was yet again outstanding but lacked line speed and connection at times. This is a real strength of the Colts but at the risk of sounding like a broken record, it would be nice if we didn’t have to defend as much each game and could get our kick off receipt tighter and have more time with ball in hand.
Again – the whole team should be proud of the never say die attitude they’re bringing to the field. When mistakes are made, you keep turning up for each other.
As was mentioned several times on the day, it wasn’t a good win, but it was a win. It was a nailbiter right down to the final whistle that we had to battle through our own mistakes to clinch. Lesser teams wouldn’t have stayed in the fight. Well done.
3 – Tom Seymour
2 – Caleb Piper
1 – Luke Connoly
1 – Ben Keogh
1 – Tom Barret
