Improved Colts lose out
Published 1 Feb 2012 13:00
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Wanderers Colts 0-28 Hamilton Under-18s
WANDERERS Colts managed to get a game of rugby on Saturday despite the fact their Fort Matilda home ground and the Battery Park were both declared unplayable.
Last minute arrangements meant that the friendly match against Hamilton was switched to the excellent all-weather surface at Clydeview Academy.
This resulted in both teams getting a much-needed fixture ahead of the Caledonia Cup which starts in mid-February.
A healthy-sized local crowd turned out to watch the Colts play a side that beat them heavily earlier in the season.
For Wanderers it was an improved display from their recent games and a fine first half performance gave much hope that a victory could be recorded in the second period but ultimately it was the visitors who took command and secured the spoils.
The Colts started off brightest and on five minutes stand-off Chris McCarron made it over the Hamilton line only to be held up and prevented from grounding the ball for what would have been the opening score.
Wanderers maintained the initiative for most of the first half with prop Alex Cooper and back row stars Anton Ward and skipper Martin Rainey posting top-notch performances.
With the tie scoreless at the interval and Wanderers enjoying the majority of territorial advantage and possession, it was hoped by the local support that the impetus could eventually lead to points.
It was Hamilton however, who managed to increase their intensity in the second half and took control of the game mainly through their back line.
Four unanswered tries were recorded by the visitors during the second period and they deserved the victory due to their better second half showing.
The Colts will certainly view this match as a missed opportunity and will rue what was a poor tackling display in the second half resulting in conceding some soft scores.
Coach Graham Finnie said: "The purpose of the match was to get the players game time and to work on our unit skills ahead of the forthcoming cup-tie against Highland in February.
"In general the performance was an improvement on last week but I was concerned by parts of the second half showing which certainly gives the coaches plenty to work on.
"In truth it was just good to get some action particularly when most other fixtures across the west of Scotland were cancelled."
l Wanderers are sponsored by Texas Instruments.
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 01 Feb 12
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