Nuns Colts winning streak continues...

Nuneaton Colts took on Market Bosworth in a hastily arranged friendly fixture after original league opponents Earlsdon pulled out. It was the first chance for the squad to test itself against cross-border opposition, along with the opportunity to rest a few players and give more experience to the whole squad.

Market Bosworth were playing with the wind in the first half and started well. The majority of the first ten minutes was spent in the Nuneaton half, with Bosworth’s big carriers making ground and the Nuneaton defence had to hold strong. Market Bosworth looked to have opened the scoring as they powered over from close range, but great defensive work resulted in the ball being spilled over the line.
Nuneaton lost Nick Coltman to a knee injury which meant Brandon Wyatt had to step in to the full back position, from where he made a strong, powerful run into the Market Bosworth half. He was eventually brought down in the opposition 22, but Nuneaton recycled the ball and almost sent replacement Will McFerran over in the corner. Sam Everett was supporting well and a quick pick-and-go from the breakdown resulted in the first points of the game.

Market Bosworth continued to enjoy the territory and got on the scoreboard after they charged down a clearance kick and regathered the ball to score. The conversion came back off the post to leave the score at 5-5. Nuneaton were starting to get on top in the physical battle, with some big hits coming in from James Fellows at centre, who had to move out of his usual back row position to cover in the backs. Nuneaton started to exert pressure in the Market Bosworth 22 and Ben Howells crashed over from short range to score. Jack Jones slotted the conversion and Nuneaton were 12-5 up at half time.

Playing with the wind in the second half, Nuneaton started enjoying the better of the territory and scored their third try as Sam Everett wrong footed the defence and sprinted through to score his 10th try of the season, which was converted to make the score 19-5.
Market Bosworth rallied and capitalised when a clearance kick wasn’t dealt with by the Nuneaton back 3, allowing the Market Bosworth player to run through and score under the posts and reduce the arrears to 19-12. Nuneaton came straight back, and a flowing move almost sent winger Morgan Jones in to score. He was stopped 5 metres short but another pick-and-go from the breakdown saw Sam Everett complete his hattrick to make it 26-12.

Nuneaton were on top and scored again when a tap penalty in the Market Bosworth 22 was fed to prop Jack Lander to crash over and score his first try of the season. This was quickly followed by another try for Ben Howells to leave the score 38-12.
Market Bosworth got a consolation try when the restart was not gathered properly, and the final score was 38-17 to Nuneaton. Another good win for the squad after last week’s disappointment against Old Laurents, which will stand them in good stead ahead of next week’s league match away at Newbold.

Team
Jonny Gapelbe, Lewis Jenkins, Jack Lander, Alex Phillips, Oli Swietochowski, Jared Norton, Hayden Cottle, Ben Howells, Jack Jones, Sam Everett, Brandon Wyatt, James Fellows, Charlie Smith, Morgan Jones, Nick Coltman
Subs: Will McFerran, Will Howard