Quarter final Intermediate Cup

A great game for the neutral as this game went back and forth but it was the visitors who just nudged ahead at the end. Fullers played with much heart and gusto and could have won this game but the difference was just a conversion.

Old Colfeians (OCs) having been relegated from level 6 to 7 last season like Fullers and meant business and bought a full sized team for this quarter final intermediate cup game.

Fullers started with much zip and spring in their step and it wasn’t long before they scored with a well taken catch and drive from the line out to see second row Liam Boyd crash over. Ben Matchett adding the extra conversion.

Almost immediately OCs used their power game by driving from the line out and picking and driving up field to score. They then went ahead to take the lead after a well worked move from the line out to disguise the driving maul at the line but spun around to go over uncontested.

Liam Boyd added his second as he crashed over from short range to even the scores.
OCs scored again as they dominated the scrum and were able to get some front foot possession.

Once again Fullers responded almost immediately as centre Shaun Smith found himself almost through but got tackled short of the line. Quick thinking saw him release the ball get to his feet scoop up the ball and score for a 17-19 half time score line.

In the second half Fullers made some changes to immediate effect as it was Fullers turn to be on the front foot in the scrum. A scrum on the OCs 5 metre line was going over but the outstanding No8 George Harvey picked up and crashed over himself. Matchett kicking well added the extras for a 24-19 score line.

This topsy-turvy game continued as it was now OCs on the up as they used their interchanges of replacement of players probably better than the home side as they used their powerful driving game to go up field and score to even the match. They even went ahead as it was the turn of the winger to score which was converted for a 24-31 score line.

On 73 minutes Matchett crashed over from the base of the ruck as any sniping scrum half would do with the conversion to come. However, this went agonisingly wide but there was still time for Fullers.

However, OCs used their pick and driving game wisely to see out the match and just hang on and progress to the next round of the cup.

“We started very well on Saturday and scored some lovely tries. Our ball discipline let us down and we kicked the ball to them too much which was the deciding factor in the end. We showed that want again and the players really put a shift and in parts produced some lovely attacking flare. ” Commented Fullerians forwards coach Charlotte Fredrickson.

Team. Barson, Scully (Mann 40), MacDougall (Bushell 40), Boyd, Kerr, D. Toon, A. Josey, G. Harvey, Matchett, M. Toon, Woodham, S. Smith (Jacobs 30), Evans (Captain), Lewis (Fowler 60), Maher,

Gary Wall Man of the Match: Ben Matchett