Pilgrims Match Report v Old Colfeians

Old Colfeians 45
Pilgrims 7

The Pilgrims travelled to old Colfeians having beaten them at the MTG in a high scoring encounter earlier in the season, but knowing they are very good set piece oriented side not to be underestimated. The early exchanges show cased both sides intent- Colfeians looking to maul and scrummage at every opportunity and the pilgrims looking to attack through their pacey backline.
With the early exchanges suggesting it would be an even encounter, the pilgrims looked to gain the upper hand when the colf’s fullback was given a yellow card for 2 high tackles in quick succession, but it was colf’s who opened the scoring- mauling effectively from a lineout to power over from close range which was well converted from out wide. The pilgrims attacking impetus was dealt a blow shortly after when scrum half Fin Mason-Myers was forced from the field with a dislocated shoulder before Prop Dan Gill was yellow carded for a breakdown infringement when defending the try line. The scrum which had parity at that point, was then a man down which allowed Colfeians to drive over from 5m out and extend their lead to 14-0.
The pilgrims looked dangerous when moving the ball wide at pace, but a combination of poor decision making and good Colfeians defence meant their attacks came to nothing. A second 5 m scrum resulted in a second pushover try out wide to give Colfeians a 19-0 lead. The pilgrims then looked to apply sustained pressure before half time and got themselves on the score board when Hilton and Constant combined to send Owain Collins over when he cut a powerful line to score, with Hilton converting 19-7. On the stroke of half time Collins intercepted a colf’s pass with an open field ahead of him but the referee ruled the pilgrims defence were offside. Colfeians kicked to the corner and despite good pressure at the lineout, the loose ball was picked up by Colfeians who powered over from close range to make it 24-7.
The second half unfolded in a similar vein to the first with Pilgrims’ showing lots of intent to move the ball, but good defence and trying to force the final pass prevented pilgrims from adding to their score. Each side received a yellow card with Max Campbell sin binned while defending the pilgrims try line and Colfeians flyhalf given his marching orders for the same offence at the other end. Colf’s were more clinical and added another driving maul try followed up by another scrum driven over from 5m out by the big Colfeians pack. As the clock ticked down they added arguably the try of the day where they moved the ball wide to score in the corner and give them a 45-7 win. The Colfeians captain agreed the scoreline flattered the home side and didn’t reflect what was a much more even contest, but ultimately it was a day in which the city side threw a number of big punches but failed to find the target. Next week the Pilgrims return to the MTG and host joint table toppers Sidcup in what promises to be another hard hitting encounter.

Team:
A. Smith,Bull,Gill,Nicholson,Hunt,McKenzie, Devine, McCormack, Mason-Myers,English, Constant,Collins,Fielder,Campbell,Everatt, Ingram, Philpott.