Crewe & Nantwich RUFC Academy Colts took to the field for the second game of their season on Sunday 13th, welcoming Liverpool Collegiate RUFC Colts to the Vagrants.
Before the start, the two teams of sixteen to eighteen year old young men stood together in silence with heads bowed, as they marked the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II

It was Liverpool Collegiate who had the better start when the game began. Taking control of the ball and putting the C&N scrum under pressure, they moved up the pitch to score from some strong work by their forwards. On a breezy day the extras went missing, to see the visitors lead by 5 after eight minutes.

The scrum became a popular pastime as the first half developed, with C&N gaining territory they began to put pressure on Liverpool that eventually found an opening. As a Liverpool kick was returned down the left channel, Ben Digby swooped in from the right wing to take a great pass and head over in the corner. Sadly, a try that would have been one of the best of season was disallowed by Sir for a forward pass.

With the scrum count now in double figures and territory being traded equally, it was C&N who applied pressure and took the next opportunity. From a well-set ruck under the Liverpool posts, a hard charging Jay Latham made ground to come up just short. Sirs arm was raised for an offside, so a quick-thinking Olly Griffiths took a tap and go and the ball came out neatly to Nathan Aston-O’Donovan who went over. With Bill Putt taking the extras, C&N led 7 to 5 as the first half came to an end.

The second half started with C&N determined to keep the pressure on Liverpool, also to reduce the number of scrums against them. A well chased C&N kick off had the pressure on straight away and Liverpool knocked on. The hosts should have scored from the resulting scrum, as Cai Owen ran a great line and was unlucky not to get the pass that would have seen him through.

Liverpool cleared to the halfway line, but a kick through from C&N was chased down, the charge lead by Mathew Pickering who secured a penalty as Liverpool held on in the tackle near their own line. Will Lacey carried hard from the tap and go into the Liverpool defence but was stopped short. As the players them moved away at Sirs whistle something had not been to his liking. C&N were awarded a well earned penalty try to go 14 – 5 up with half an hour left to play.

The strong response from Liverpool had to be admired, as they camped in the C&N half and launched attack after attack at the C&N defence. However, C&N never wavered and Liverpool could not take advantage of the territory. C&N finally exited their half and now had the opportunity to add a score.

The forwards packed down again for the twenty second scrum off their (long) day and again gave C&N quick ball, but it did not get out to Nigel Ngoni on the wing, the chance went begging and the game soon came to an end with a 14 - 5 win for Crewe & Nanwtich.

A huge effort by both teams made for a great game of rugby, we wish Liverpool Collegiate good luck with the rest of their season.

The C&N Colts next go up against Southport RUFC Colts, a grand day out by the seaside that will hopefully see the lads winning start continue.