Defense, Defense, Defense.

After a very disappointing display last week the boys felt they has something to prove, mostly to them selves.
We welcomed Ripon to the Hive this week, with Autumn Knocking on the door it was a crisp Sunday morning, but we still enjoyed the sun.
Of late we have struggle with our numbers, but we had extra squad players back which can make all the difference in a game the interchange. Ripon had brought with them a big squad, in more way than one, sporting a bigger pack than the Bees, we know Ripon has always had a great setup and development system of their players so this was again going to be a tough match, but then again is there ever an easy one.
From the off the Bees wanted to make a statement that they are going to fight to make the Hive a difficult place to come and take points from them, it was also clear the Bees forwards wasn't going to be intimidated by their bigger opponents, but Ripon throughout the game showed the will fight for the ball at the breakdown and was winning their own and a lot of the Bees ball at the ruck, Ripon was moving the ball well but wasn't making any ground as the Bees held their defensive line time after time. Making Ripon resort to kicking with a lucky bounce Byron Finn picked the ball up and burst through Ripon's line with a couple of players holding on to him drew the Ripon \Fullback in to pop the ball to Connor Capper to race over to open the score. with Byron converting the try these two are starting to form a formidable partnership in the backs with ball in hand will cause any team problems. With Ryan Lister directing his back line at Fly-Half made a lot of ground with his smart thinking and kicks to touch to keep Ripon pinned back. But to add to this we have what is building to be a good strong pack of forwards, their scrummage and line-outs Ripon struggled with. It was again lack of discipline that gave Ripon ground to work with the ball, they have a quick back line and at time's was able to use to good effect which allowed them to get back into the game, the difference was going to come down to the conversions today the two teams was so evenly matched for most of the game cancelled each others attacks out, but once again Bees very own bulldozer Joshua Lawn getting on the score board, Ripon struggled to stop him when he was in full flow with the ball, which gave the Bees strong position's in which to attack the Ripon line. Another young man which Ripon had trouble with was the Bees Scrum Half their Spanish pocket rocket had another big game tackling and attacking runs which he was reward with a try in the corner. But once again Ripon putting the Bees under pressure came away with rewards for their hard work, the second half was all about defense and with the bees holding their lines superbly yes i did use that word, there was a spell where i lost count of the number of phases Ripon had accumulated but couldn't move the Bees defensive line with the game drawing to a close it was Ripon to take the score to just two points and a very nervous last couple of minutes, but the Bees held on for a well deserved win.
Final Score Bees 19-17 Ripon
there was some great performances for the Bees team and would love to name them all. but have already started on another Chapter of the Colts book for this season.
Man of the Match went to the forwards this week a young man that is very deceiving with his size of build but is everywhere at the break downs and recycle a lot of ball at the rucks to give his team plenty of ball to work with, his tacking as well made all the difference as well stopping Ripon in there tracks, so Well Done to Lewis Peel this wees MoM. like i say this was a team performance which they should all be proud of so Well Done to the Squad. its shows the more we get to training the more things improve on the field.
again a big thanks you to Tom Booth and Micheal Crotch for their support with the Colts, everyone who is involved appreciate it, again thank you to our cheering support of our parents, it not just a team its a family at the Bradford & Bingley Colts this season.