Fourth day into 2015, the parents were fat and lethargic and the players looked like they were missing their beds. Mind you it was literally freezing, (0 DegC), the pitch was white and I was amazed not to see J.Frost and S.Claus on the team sheet.
Now as it was first game back after a two week layup, you would have hoped for an easy match. Let the forwards dominate and the backs have a run, You know, the Collegiate U-12s or maybe the All Hallows Brownies 2nd 15, but no! In their infinite wisdom the coaches arranged a very tough run out against Altrincham Kersall.

With our large squad, the friendly team selection is always a different combination of players, (a bit like the lottery, but not as predictable). Today 21 of the 35 or so on the books took to field and did a fair impression of a team warming up.
We kicked off a little after 11, with the sun shining and the thermometer breaking 1DegC, with hope in our hearts of a mighty blues victory……But, then the reality of a strong , well drilled and talented Altrincham squad, hit us hard and pushed us back into our own half, indeed our own 22, this was where we spent most of the first half. We didn’t make it easy for AK, but they comprehensively dominated and ended the half 22 – 0 up.

Six changes at half time did make a difference and Collegiate had some good moments of both defence and attack in the 2nd half. Unfortunately, even with the talismanic Polish flanker, Kuba unleashed, we never threatened the AK line. The territorial game was more in our favour this time, but we shipped another three tries and ended the match 39 nil down. Well done Altrincham, well deserved victory.
As with all defeats, I’ll concentrate on the positive and pick out good periods of play. Gary Boynton made an excellent 40 yard individual dash back to save a try after an AK kick through, Jamie Harrison was immense in defence, clocking up 14 individual tackles, (next closest was josh Dempsey on 9). Kyle is still our human battering ram from the back of the pack, but against a team like AK needed to look for the offload earlier. Alex C made his comeback after another terrible bout of injuries. Mitch took on the captains arm band, playing well, tackling and even popping up for an individual charge through the AK defensive line, and Rhys did the best ruck clearance I’ve seen all season.

Unfortunately Callum went off with an injured hip, (as diagnosed by our resident physio Brian), and was seen proudly hobbling around on crutches. Let’s hope it’s just a dead leg and we’ll see him back at it next week.

Thanks to the coaches for organising the game and getting our mince pie stuffed teenagers back at it.
A nod as always to those not playing, but coming down to watch :- Matty B, and Matty F, (for the ;last time, should be back available for selection again. What was wrong Matty was it a broken toe nail ??? he he !).

By Aitch

Match details

Match date

Sun 04 Jan 2015

Kickoff

11:00

Team overview