Tarleton RUFC 29/10/2016

First XV made the trip to top of the league and unbeaten Tarleton on Saturday. With 7 regulars missing from the starting line-up this was always going to be a tough game.
An excellent start from Colne saw Padge go over the line following quick work from the lineout by Matty Tindall and Matt Davy with the resulting kick converted by Jim Hargreaves. 7-0 to Colne.
Colne dominated the game for the first ten minutes and a fairly shell shocked Tarleton struggled to get out of their own half. Some quick running from the Tarleton backs just over the ten minute mark saw them go over for a try in the corner and the kick was converted leaving the score at 7 apiece.
Colne were then awarded a penalty under the sticks following an infringement in the scrum which was popped over with ease by Hargreaves leaving Colne 10 – 7 to the good. Unfortunately Tarleton soon went over the line again twice in the next few minutes with the kicks once again converted.
There then followed a strong period of defence by Colne keeping the opposition at bay but eventually further quick running and passing by Tarleton saw them go over the line once more. Score at half time was Colne 10 Tarleton 27.
Unfortunately the second half did not go to plan. Injuries to Woody and Matty Tindall saw the evergreen John Hargreaves forced to come on along with Jordan Cardwell leaving a still clearly concussed Woody to run the line!
Tarleton took full advantage of the depleted Colne side and greater superiority in the scrum saw them go over the line a number of times with the eventual full time score of Colne and Nelson 10 points, Tarleton 71.
A number of learning points were taken from this game and hopefully a stronger and slightly wiser team will be available for our next match which is not until the 19th November away at Didsbury Toc H.