Stratford suffer another Colts Cup final defeat

STRATFORD endured Bob Coward Colts Cup final misery for a second year running at Coventry's Butts Park Arena on Monday night.

Having lost to Broadstreet in the last few seconds of last year's final, the Black and Whites' under-18s were beaten 33-0 by Old Leamingtonians in the 2018 showpiece.

Conditions were not favourable for both teams, with the April drizzle a constant companion. OLs were awarded two early penalties and the trusty boot of Will Davies ensured OLs were off to a good start with six points.

Stratford looked up for the game and the early exchanges were tight, with some big hits from both teams.

However, it was OLs who took charge halfway into the first period as the OLs pack started to dominate the set piece and provide the backs with plenty of ball and territory.

A late tackle from the Stratford No 8 saw him yellowed for seven minutes. OLs pounced and scored a super try through a neat training ground move, finished off by Callum Semple out wide to make it 11-0 .

The Old Leams' forwards remained on top and several pick and goes deep into the first half allowed the lively Brennan Lumby to dot down. The resulting conversion was missed, but OLs were now 16-0 to the good.

OLs extended their lead when a clever chip and chase ended in a try for Alex Witchell, ensuring they took a 21-0 lead into half-time.

An early try in the second half saw OLs off to a flyer. Kai Bailey, alert at the ruck base , went over under the posts to make it 28-0, with Davies adding the extras .

Stratford, to their credit, did not fall off many tackles but the waves of attack were proving just too much on the day.

The Black and Whites rang the changes, as did OLs, the game then became a little disjointed with handing errors from both sides.

In testing conditions sapping energy from both teams, the game was then wrapped up with yet another kick and chase from Will Davies. This time, it was a lengthy grubber that was expertly gathered by Ben Hawkes, who used his express pace to go over in the corner and make it 33-0.