Liverpool Collegiate RUFC vs Vagabonds RUFC (IOM)

Following their trip to Ramsey the week before, the first XV welcomed another team from the Isle of Man in the shape of Vagabonds on a day where the rain just about managed to stay away on a boggy Collegiate pitch.

However, the boys in blue were not phased by a pitch that was extremely wet underfoot, looking to run the ball straight from the kick off. This resulted in Rob Connolly making some excellent ground, with the visitors struggling to cope with the expansive running style of the home team.

This pressure was sure to lead to points, with the returning Tom Featherstone making an excellent break to set up Rob Connolly in the far right corner. With the conversion made, this was the perfect start for the Collegiate team, who were now sensing success down that right flank.

After more pressure down that flank, the home side were rewarded with an extended period of pressure inside the opposition 22, which was rewarded with a penalty right in front of the posts. Once converted, the scores were now at 10-0, with the boys in blue looking dominant.

From the following kick off, Collegiate looked to take full advantage of the rush defence of the visitors, looking to put the ball behind them as much as possible, this lead to Tom Featherstone once again getting the ball in space on the right, with him running 70m and beat numerous defenders to score under the posts. With the conversion again made, with the boys in blue looking to secure a bonus point.

Unfortunately, the home side would have to wait till the very end of the half, after enduring some well worked pressure from the away side in the first xv's final third. This was well defended by the boys in blue, once again giving space on the right side during a rare spell of posession at this point in the match. After some excellent evasive running between Tom Featherstone and Rob Connolly, it was Robs turn to get his 2nd of the match and secure a bonus point for the first XV.

Half time: Collegiate 31- 0 Vagabonds.

Once again the message was simple, maintain intensity and look to press for further points. This was rewarded early on with a penalty from Chris Lloyd, with this looking to be the last spell of domination for the home side.

From this point, there was a mixture of both dipped intensity from the first XV and some great spirit shown by the visitors. This resulted in much of the next 30 minutes for Collegiate being spent without the ball in their own third defending for their lives. To their credit, Vagabonds continually pushed at the Collegiate try line and were rewarded with a score after a dominant scrum saw the number 8 fall on the easiest of scores.

This was not to be the last word from a courageous Collegiate team who, after periods of immense pressure and some heroic defending, they saw themselves given another try scoring opportunity right in the last play of the game. This saw Rob Connolly go over for his hat trick score, giving the final score of 39-7.

A good display of running rugby from the first XV and an entertaining game for both spectators and players alike. We look forward to travelling to Southport next for what is sure to be a very physical game.