Quins Cup Colts 1st XV

Guildford Rugby Club

Quins Cup Colts 1st XV

QUINS CUP

Teddington Colts 7 – 16 Guildford Colts 1st XV

Sunday 21st January 2024

The last few Colts games before the Christmas break had resulted in a change of fortune and a string of victories. This continued into the New Year with a close fought win in our friendly against Marlow. The beginning of 2024 is all about the Quins Cup. Guildford Colts are in the unusual position of being able to enter 2 teams into the Quins Cup, competing in different parts of the competition. Selection was always going to be difficult as most players in the squad are good enough to play in our 1st XV team. This does mean that we have a particularly strong 2nd XV team, as Stu James’s report of their fixture against Sutton & Epsom will show.

We played Teddington in the Waterfall Cup in the autumn, and they have a big set of forwards as well as a good 10 and 15. With Storm Isha making their exposed grounds in Bushy Park difficult to play, it would add an extra layer of complication to the game. We opted to play into the wind in the first half, as we had assumed that their big forwards would struggle with the pace of the game in the second half. We also had a considerably larger bench. With 46 Colts available across both teams, we were keen that everyone should get game time.

From the first blow of the whistle Teddington were on the attack, quickly getting into the Guildford 22. Guildford were doing their best to defend and kept their heads in a display of teamwork that was outstanding. They also seemed to get on the wrong side of the referee’s decisions and incurred 10 penalties in the first 20 minutes of the game! Consistent work at the breakdown meant that the Teddington struggled to convert any of their possession or territory into points. Our defence of their excellent maul seeming to be a highlight.

20 minutes in and Teddington had 19 minutes of both possession and territory and yet no points to show. Finally turnover ball and time to use our backs pace with a great run from Finn Jordan to go over for a try. The windy conditions prevented the subsequent conversion.

Score: 0-5

Teddington were back on the attack and back in our 22. This time their visit was more successful with a converted try.

Score: 7-5

The rest of the half was played in a mixture of attack and defence. Both our lineouts and scrums working well despite the fact that our pack was smaller than theirs. Special mention should go to Zac Tinkler and Ozzy Rooken-Smith who both did well jumping against their throw in the lineout.

Half time came with no further scores from either side.

HT Score: 7-5

In the second half we had the wind behind us and their forwards were now getting tired, and the lack of replacements was beginning to show. Guildford had a fully stacked bench and we now started using them in earnest. Tactically we had put on our big hitters to tire them out, initially leaving some fast replacements to come on once they started to slow down. This tactical approach seemed to have worked well. Our forwards were dominating the contact and drawing in the Teddington defence. Once they had enough space the ball went through the hands of our backs and back out to Finn Jordan for his second try. Once again, no conversion but Guildford were back in the lead.

Score: 7-10

The next phase of play was messy and although it looked like we may have scored a couple of times, each time the referee stated that the ball was held up and there was a subsequent goal line drop out. Horatio Murrin was unlucky to have his try dis-allowed as the ref said that he had not seen him place the ball, even though it was grounded and over the line!

Step up Toby Earl, to show what a great kicker he is. I have said that the wind was behind us, but it was at a 45 degree angle and blustery. He still managed to kick over two excellent penalties.

Score: 7-16

The game finished as it started with Guildford pinned to their own try line for the last 10 minutes of the game. Special mention to Henry Emerson who ended up with Teddington’s massive no.8 on top of him to earn a goal line drop out.

Final Score: 7-16

Chris Rowe

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