Early Games ...

Colts: The Early Games ...

Sept 6th: Scunthorpe Tournament
The Scunthorpe tournament was the first time we saw the 'new' U18s Colts playing with the existing U19s Colts. After very little full-team training it was surprising how quickly the Colts formed a side and played some simple 'Barbarian' style rugby. The first two games (both wins) showed lots of potential, but the third game showed up how fragile the team was when defending and under pressure. Plenty to work on, but looking promising for the season ahead.

Sept 13th: Old Brods 17 v 13 Doncaster
Historically a strong adversary for Doncaster, they lost this game in the first 20 mins with a slow start, going 12 v 0 down. However, Doncaster worked their way back into the game with solid forwards play and 'won' the second half comfortably, but did not make the most of a couple of overlaps which would have clinched the game. The rematch will be very different!

Sept 20th: Guisborough v Doncaster [Cancelled]
Guisborough Colts have folded which was a warning to a number of Colts teams (including us) which were and are struggling with reliable numbers this season.

Sept 27th: Doncaster 19 v 8 Darlington
Darlington was a comfortable win (with most of the damage done in the first half). However, again a number of opportunities (along with a bonus point) went begging. It was a case of solid forward play retaining posession, let down with some inaccurate finishing and lack of execution of basic 'draw-and-give' 3v2 and 2v1 passing.

Oct 4th: Huddersfield 7 v 6 Doncaster
Never was there a game which was so one sided in terms of possession and territory where the 'winning' team didn't come away with the victory. First half was steady and controlled with excellent decision making and percentage play (coming away with penalties when needed: 0 v 6). The second half was a tale of a 10 mins lapse followed by 25 mins of total domination but hindered by some ball greedy players trying to do everything themsleves, some massive overlaps wasted and a couple of key convertible penalties which were taken 'quick-tap' without producing points. A few major lessons to be learnt from that game.

Oct 11th: Doncaster 26 v 12 Sheffield
With the Hall Cross IOM Tour leaving just 15 players available at KO, this was a watershed point for the TEAM. No hiding, no excuses, everyone had to deliver a whole team performance! A lengthy warm-up, driven mostly by the players themselves, upping communication levels and with a level of intensity not seen before, this set the foundations of an extremely solid and intelligent rugby performance. No wrong decisions, good discipline, low penalty count, good ball retention, patient phase building and punishing kicking for territory and points. The victory was never in doubt ... it was just a question of how many by!
THIS GAME SET THE LEVEL FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON. WELL DONE.

Oct 18th: Hull Ionians 3 v 41 Doncaster
Arriving at Hull with the opponants ringing around for players was probably a signal of things to come. In a game ruined by a single rogue element on the Hull side, Doncaster collected a number of early injuries. However with Doncaster's U17s spectating, it was a matter of all hands to the decks and five U17s on the pitch. Despite the make shift team, the quality of rugby stood out with simple controlled ball retention by the forwards releasing a steady stream of opportunities for the backs to convert which unlike previous weeks they did. Intelligent heads up rugby and good decisions in the backs exploited a weak Hull side and produced a number of well executed tries for the bonus point: 3 v 41.

Oct 25th: Doncaster 8 v 6 Harrogate
This turned out to be a very closely contested game. First half, against the wind, saw Doncaster retain good possession and build up but not really convert territory into points as we elected to kick and miss a number of penalties. However, Doncaster did score the only try of the game only to be pegged back just before half time with the second of Harrogate's penalty conversions: 5 v 6. The second half was much less convincing than the first and Doncaster conceded turnover ball and number of penalties which disrupted any prolonged pressure we could exert. Finally with 5 minutes to go, the Doncaster fly-half played the 'Get Out Of Jail Free' card and dropped a goal from 40yds out!!! 8 v 6. We probably deserved the win, but by 2 pts was probably flattering!!

Nov 1st: Malton & Norton 50 v 3 Doncaster
A game where Doncaster were beaten by themselves even before the first whistle went. With a bare 15, facing some tough weather conditions, and following a poor warm-up session, Doncaster simply did not turn out for the game. Putting it very simply Malton & Norton 'wanted it more' and with good rucking and mauling produced a number of turnovers and had the most posession, leaving Doncaster stuck in 'defend mode' for large chunks of the game. This then exposed some weak organisation in defence and poor tackling. That said, the numerical result probably didn't reflect the game, as there were periods where Doncaster did produce some good rugby and pressured Malton & Nortons line, but came away without the points.
THIS WAS A WAKE UP CALL FOR DONCASTER - NOW LETS MOVE ON!

From the last game, we still have plenty to work on. However, that game aside, Doncaster Colts are beginning to play with their heads and with some team spirit for the shirt on their backs. We still need to be vigilant, aggressive and competitive in defence and clinical in finishing TRIES off when in their 22. The Colts are capable of playing some quality and intelligent rugby now, but we need to raise the bar firstly at Training, then at Pre-match Warm-up and finally in the Game.

LETS MAKE SURE WE RESUME THURSDAY TRAINING THIS WEEK AND KEEP THE ATTENDANCE UP.

Tony Jones
Doncaster Colts Coach