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“The Colts A squad
soon proved to be
quick learners”
Colts A IX
The 2015-16 season saw the
implementation of new laws
for rugby players at the junior
age, with prep schools following
the lead of clubs in interpreting
and embracing the new laws.
The less structured, new-style game provides
greater handling opportunities for players, with
the ball in play for longer.The Colts A squad
soon proved to be quick learners and by and
large this was a successful season.As a squad,
they improved their handling considerably
over the term and almost all showed strong
defensive tackling when required to.
Our opening fixture was away to Cheam
and although we scored first, we conceded too
many points in the second half.With our first
proper competitive match, we found ourselves
unable to adapt to the home side’s refereeing
of the ruck area and so there was very little
competing allowed at the breakdown. Later
matches saw us improve in many different
areas of the game but when we played an
experienced Moulsford side early on in the
term, we found ourselves well beaten by half-
time.A quick chat with the opposition coach
resulted in a mixing up of the two teams and a
very competitive second half ensued. It was a
great experience for our boys to play alongside
different players and it was a second half where
rugby was very definitely the winner!
A number of boys made up the Colts A squad
and
Sebastian Corso
captained the team
from fly-half.With good vision and a great
awareness for those around him, he proved
to be a quick distributor of the ball; when
running with it he was often able to open up
the opposition defence. He tackled strongly,
too and was quick to win the ball in the tackle.
For the most part Corso was given good service
from scrum-half
Rory McNair
until he was
ruled out with concussion in the latter part of
the season.A natural athlete, McNair played a
sweeper role in the team. His fleet-footedness
helped him to start and finish the best move
of the season in a wonderful try against Elstree
which involved almost every player.
Augustus
Stanhope
took over fromMcNair when he was
out of contention and continued to be a strong
influence on the game. He played all matches in
a variety of positions and his speed and tenacity
made him a tricky customer for opposition
defences. So much so, that he was our top try
scorer with nine! In the centre of the backline
were
ArthurVirgin
, a strong and powerful
runner who improved greatly over the season,
and
Eddie Burnaby-Atkins
who was our most
reliable tackler of the team.The two wingers
played in contrasting style: whilst
Clyde Lartey
would rely on his natural speed to try and beat
his opposite number,
ImranTinubu
would
simply run straight at them or over them! His
natural strength resulted in some important
scores in tight matches.
George Laing
was the
other utility back, happy to play anywhere in
the line. He had a deceptive turn of speed and
good defensive skills, too.Two of the nominated
forwards were props
Freddie Newland
and
Nick Crawford. Newland improved greatly over
the season, particularly with his handling and
passing. His powerful running often helped him
break the defence by cutting back on the angle.
The athletic and rangy Crawford covered the
ground easily, proving a useful linkman in attack
and a sound tackler when defending.
Jackson
Amies
, the hooker, also proved to be a natural
runner and showed plenty of stamina in open
play. In the scrum he was an excellent striker of
the ball both on our own put-in and against the
head too.
The boys enjoyed the new format of the
game and the noticeable improvement in their
all-round skills will stand them in good stead for
the future.
MAI
Colts A IX
Opposition
Result
Score
Scorers
Us Them
Cheam
Lost
5 15
Virgin
BruernAbbey
Won 55 5
Corso, Crawford N, Laing x2, McNair, Newland F,
Stanhope x4,Virgin
Moulsford
Lost
0 45
Lambrook
Won 20 15
Corso, McNair, Stanhope,Tinubu I
St John's Beaumont Sevens
Finished 6th in the Group stage
Elstree
Won 40 20 McNair x2, Newland F, Stanhope,Tinubu I,Virgin x3
St John's Northwood Sevens
Finished 3rd in the Group Stage
Cothill
Won 15 5
Stanhope x2,Tinubu
Ludgrove
Lost
5 30
Stanhope
S u m m e r F i e l d s
2 0 1 5 – 2 0 1 6
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