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Colts  2008-09        Page 2
 
 
 
Ivel Colts 3  vs  Hornets Colts  15        Sunday 2nd November 2008
 
 

The Ivel Colts were expecting to host a mainly U17 Hornets team and the Barbarians starting lineup reflected this. However Ivel were actually faced with a team sporting several U19s who presented a large physical challenge to which the Ivel youngsters responded well to.

The game was unspectacular with neither side taking control. There were good performances from George Perry on the wing and Tom Flynn and James St Clair in the centres in the first half and at the turn round the score was 5-3 to the Hornets, Ivel's points coming from a well-struck penalty from Ashley Pippard.

Some wholesale positional changes at half time did not provide the expected increase in physicality and only individual moments of skill from Deon Zsabo, and determined back row play from Sam Reeves, Ash Dryhurst and Lloyd Morgan provided the crowd with any highlights. Hornets used their large forwards to good effect, driving the ball up in the tight which required Ivel to resort to gang-tackles. This created space which the Hornets exploited on two more occasions with the final score being 15-3 to the visitors.

Despite the game not being one of the exciting, free-flowing games that have been the norm for the Colts, the Coaches can take huge positives from the youngsters playing and matching, for large parts of the game, a large and physical team.
 
 
 
Sherborne Colts  22  vs  Ivel Colts  0      Sunday 16th November 2008
 
County training, no-shows, injuries and suspensions all combined to see the Ivel Colts travel to Sherborne with only 16 players and indeed several of them playing out of position.  Despite this the Ivel youngsters performed heroically against a good Sherborne team.  Particularly impressive were James St Clair and Rhys Biggin, normally lining up in the centre, but today both trying out their hand as flankers where both enjoyed the physicality.  Steve Foster, a new recruit played well in his first game for Ivel and looked comfortable with the ball in hand.  Sherborne made good use of their big No8 who crashed over twice in the first half and at the turn round Ivel were trailing 12-0.  Shortly before half time one of Ivel's county contingent, Callum McKenzie, fresh from county training arrived ready to play and in the second half took up his customary place in the engine room.  This gave the Ivel scrum a little more solidity and a better balance, and allowed James St Clair to move back into the centres and Sam Reeves to go back into the back row where he tackled effectively all afternoon.  Ivel dominated territory in the second half but could not turn the pressure into points.  Sherborne however took their opportunities when presented and crossed the line twice more to run out worthy victors 22-0.  Despite of the score line the Ivel coaches praised the performance as the best of the season for heart, determination and character.  The return fixture at Ivel will hopefully see Ivel have a larger squad to choose from.
 
 
 
Bournemouth A  39  vs  Ivel Colts  11    Sunday 23rd November 2008
 
Once again Ivel travelled with a makeshift pack containing no specialist lock forwards and a centre playing on the flank.  However Ivel started the game brightly and more than matched the large Bournemouth forwards in the loose and held their own in the scrum.  Ivel had the advantage of a strong wind behind them in the first half but never really exploited it.  The heart and commitment shown by the Ivel youngsters was again top class but some woeful tackling resulted in their large No8 smashing through to score on four occasions.  The final score of 39-11 flattered the Bournemouth side but proved that defence wins matches and on the day individual technique let the Colts down.  Josh Galloway scored a try and Tom Flynn kicked two penalties.
 
 
 
Ivel Colts  29  vs  Salisbury A  0      Sunday 30th November 2008
 
 
Click pictures for Ivel try video clips
 

A minute's silence was observed by both groups of players prior to the game in respect for former Ivel player Sam Gear's father who passed away during the week. 

Ivel needed little motivation for this match, eager to show the visitors that they had improved a lot since the Salisbury team had thumped them on the first day of the league season.  Initially Ivel struggled to take control and spent the first ten minutes in their own half, conceding penalty after penalty and making uncharacteristic mistakes but repelling the Salisbury attack. 

First points went to the Ivel youngsters, with Tom Flynn taking a well stuck penalty which was the signal for Ivel to up their game and exert pressure on the visitors.  Despite the cold and damp conditions, the Ivel youngsters ran the ball when they could and Tom Flynn, on only his third outing as a scrum half, did the basics well.  The Ivel pressure eventually told with Tom Jones crashing over for a try which was converted by Flynn. 

Further pressure saw Jason Dunn also crash over, just reward for a typically aggressive display on his return to the Ivel side. 

The second half saw some fresh legs take to the pitch but there was no difference in the Ivel side's resolve and Captain Callum McKenzie, a superb ball carrier all afternoon, lead the side from the front, charging half the length of the pitch where he passed to the ever-present Ash Dyhurst who went over for another try, converted by Tom Flynn. 

Ivel took the foot off the pedal a little and started to make poor decisions which luckily went unpunished by the Salisbury team however the Ivel defence was solid all afternoon and Rhys Biggin put in some massive hits, complementing his strong running game. 

Ivel's offload game had been good all afternoon and some good interplay in the visitors twenty two saw Tom Jones go over for his second try of the afternoon, converted by Max Harvey. 

The final score of 29-0 was a great reward for the hard work and effort that the youngsters have put in this season.
 
 
 
Wimborne Colts  41  vs  Ivel Colts  3      Sunday 7th December 2008
 
Ivel travelled to league leaders Wimborne on Sunday but had to play the fixture at Canford School due to the Dorset side's pitches being water-logged.  Ivel were looking to build on the previous weeks win and performance but met a Wimborne side full of power and dynamism.  From the kick off the Dorset side made their intent known and within 4 minutes Ivel found themselves two tries down.  The Ivel youngsters had few answers to the pace and aggression of the opposition and always looked second best in open play although the scrums were evenly matched and holes did appear in the Wimborne back line but Ivel could not exploit them.  The final score of 41-3 was a true reflection of the home side's dominance who displayed a hunger and desire from 1 to 15 which the Ivel players could not match.
 
 
 
Ivel Colts  15  vs  Sherborne Colts  25
 
 
Click pictures for Ivel try video clips
 
 
 
Ivel Colts  63  vs  Frome Colts  0     Sunday 25th January 2009
 
 
Click pictures for Ivel try video clips
 
Ivel's Colts took a break from their commitments in the league to enjoy a rare friendly fixture against Frome.  With nearly a full strength squad to chose from, the Ivel youngsters made an immediate impact and within ten minutes were 15 nil ahead with a tremendous display of open running rugby.  However the spirited Frome side had not come just to make the numbers up and continued to tackle hard and generally making life difficult for the Ivel players.  Rob Burnell, back from his lenghty period representing Somerset and the South West, gave an outstanding performance at No8, stealing ball at every available opportunity.  Frome's dogged determination did not allow Ivel to regain the impetus of the first ten minutes and it was only when Ivel started to put the ball through the hands and get it wide did they reap the rewards, going into half time leading 39-0.
 
After the break Frome began to exert some significant pressure on Ivel but whilst at times disjointed the Colts defence held strong against a sustained attack in the Ivel 22.  Ivel lost some composure in the second period, with everyone keen to get on the scoresheet ensuring some try scoring opportunities went begging.  However Ivel's superiority in all areas shone through, particularly in the front five who dominated their opponents from the start and provided a great platform for the backs all game.
 
The final score of 63-0 was a true reflection of the Ivel dominance on the day but Frome were to be commended for their persistant and spirited performance.  Whilst this performance boosted the youngsters confidence before next week's league fixture against North Dorset, it is hoped that the Colts will now focus on the areas to improve upon if they are to reverse the close defeat to North Dorset earlier in the season.
 
Try scorers were Tom Jones, Deon Dzaro, Rob Burnell (2), James St Clair, Josh Galloway (3), Joe Donnelly & Andy Hill.  Ashley Pippard weighed in with 5 conversions and 1 penalty.