Winning weekend continues for Colts

Burton Under 17/18’s visited Aston Old Edwardians Under 18’s in a friendly fixture.

SQUAD LIST

Cole, Finney, Furner, Hamlet, Higginson, Hulland, Marshall, Mason, Roden, Sharpe, Shaw, Sturgess, Tolson, Valentine, Waddington, Whitehouse, Wileman.

STARTING LINE-UP

1. Loose Head Prop – Josh Shaw
2. Hooker – Abe Furner
3. Tight Head Prop – Lewis Sturgess
4. 2nd Row – Ben Hulland
5. 2nd Row – Curtis Marshall
6. Blind Side Flanker – Ben Whitehouse
7. Open Side Flanker – Ben Wileman
8. Number 8 – Jacob Waddington (Captain)
9. Scrum Half – Alex Finney
10. Fly Half – Sam Valentine
11. Left Wing – Sheridan Cole
12. Inside Centre – Lewis Mason
13. Outside Centre – Ryan Sharpe
14. Right Wing – Joe Tolson
15. Full Back –Tom Hamlet

MATCH REPORT

Burton U17/18’s travelled to Aston Old Edwardians in a friendly fixture that was played under bright & sunny conditions.

They say “Football is a gentleman’s played by thugs & Rugby is a thugs game played by gentleman”. Today put my match reporting skills to the test. I normally write a full length report, mentioning every player ensuring that all are represented. However today’s report is slightly different.

Yesterday saw our magnificent Senior Colts beat our friends in green, Lichfield, by 56 – 0. That left me with a sleepless night at the prospect of the Junior Colts attempts to match their colleagues.

What I witnessed today were a group of 17 players that played out of their skin, stuck together & wore the black & white shirt with pride. One of the players, Joe Tolson played out a magnificent debut. Another was the returning Ben Higginson, after 2 years out, came on in the 56th minute & was punched 3 times in the face by the 58th minute.

I can only write that the final score was Aston Old Edwardians 14 – 17 Burton with tries a piece for Wileman, Valentine & Hulland with Valentine adding a conversation. However, it was the leadership of Jacob Waddington whom led these fantastic 17 young gentlemen to a marvellous victory by remaining composed when the situation could have been much worse.

Man of The Match for being safe under the high ball, running it back with great feet & many try saving tackles was Tom Hamlet.

The final word on today’s proceedings comes from The Coaching team who are immensely proud of all the players. Today made me proud to be part of the Burton U17’s, Proud to be part of Burton U18’s, Proud to be part of Burton Academy/Colts & most of all Proud to part of Burton Rugby Club. You wore that shirt with pride & showed all today what gentlemen you all are. Well done fellas……you came of age today!