Colts v Sheffield (National Cup)

Penrith v Sheffield National Cup Round 4

It was a disappointing day for Penrith Colts who gave their best against a very good well organised Sheffield side in front of a full stand at Winters Park. The visitors were a very physical side and played a well-structured game. We worked hard and quickly realised we were up against a very good side. The driving wind and rain was a massive influence that suited their style of play up front better than ours. Their pack was physical, mobile and strong in the set pieces. Our usual open expansive running game was restricted, partly because of the weather and partly because Sheffield made fewer errors and dominated possession. In essence, the visitors managed the conditions better than us with an intelligent kicking game, fewer handling errors, and a strong defence, especially in the second half.

The lads knew they had to turn pressure into points, but that was part of the problem, it was Sheffield generating the majority of pressure both in attack and defence. We were first on the scoreboard with a well-taken penalty from just inside their half. Flanker Charlie McLeod had a near miss as he tried to finish off a line break but the tackler ripped his arm as he dived over for a knock on. In the second half we were almost there again with a ruck on their try line but somehow the ball was stolen, with the clearing kick charged down the attack fizzled out from a 5m scrum.

The first half remained tight with the clock running down. In the closing minutes, the last thing we needed was to go down to 14 players. With three minutes remaining, we lost a player to a yellow card for what was deemed to be a deliberate knock-on by the referee. A tap and go 10m out from our line found us wanting as their very good number 15 crashed into the corner to take a 3 – 5 lead into the break.
We still had everything to play for in the second half but Sheffield started as they finished the first. The visitor’s second try came from a fumbled knock-on following a kick and chase. From the base of the resulting scrum, the ball was moved out left where once again the number 15 carried into the corner. With the successful conversion, the point’s gap widened but it wasn’t insurmountable. However, in the last 15 minutes, we conceded a penalty on the 22m within easy kicking distance, and then another try as their pack put together several rucks that eventually breached our defensive line a final time. Full-time score, 3 – 20.

It was frustrating as we couldn’t get a foothold or turn what little pressure we created into points. Our playmakers had little time in possession and not enough ball to influence the game. The lads still have a lot to look forward to. We are top of the North East and Cumbria (North) league with just 4 games remaining, and then the prospect of a North, South league playoff. Both the U18s and U17s also have County Cup finals to prepare for.

A huge thanks to the great crowd that turned out to support the lads, and a special thanks to the first-teamers, Adam Howe, Ross Jackson and Jamie McNaughton who helped coach that lads in the build up.

Our next game is at home against Consett on Sunday the 24th 1pm kick-off, TBC.