Round 4 Match Report

Hi Colts Family,

Paddington Colts V Bondi United, Burrows Park, Sunday 6/5

Apologies for the belated match report. I’m still coming down from the weekend’s victory!

What an absolutely outstanding match the boys played on the weekend. I’m not sure who was more excited, me or the boys, but it certainly brought back a few memories of battles with Bondi from when I was a kid. Bondi United are a good team, well organised in both attack and defence and it’s easy to see why they are the benchmark in our competition. It was always going to take a committed performance from our team and I was interested to see how our boys would react to real pressure from a top team.

When United crossed for the first try of the match midway through the first half, I wasn’t sure how the team would respond. But, the way in which the team composed themselves, delivered the ball to our forwards who ran with purpose and into a try-scoring position, and then for Kubi to cross over for our responding first try, should give the boys a stack of confidence in our ability to work as a team, build momentum and score points.

What I was most impressed with was the way in which each boy understood his role and performed it to the best of their ability. All players contributed to a fantastic team performance, particularly in defence. Both the forwards and backs showed great composure and defended Bondi’s slick attack with aplomb, both in the middle and out wide. Having a solid defensive line will be the backbone of our success this year, and credit to our outside backs Angus, Peter, Kubi and Jamie who held their respective positions when United attacked wide.

With the scores locked up at six all at the break, I could feel our confidence build in the second half, as the likes of Fynn, Alex, Cy, Lochie, Jasper and Peter on the edge began to cut loose each time they had the ball. And what a masterstroke it was by Max’s dad Simon, to hold the young gun back from the first half so he would burst in the second half and bamboozle our opponents from the base of the ruck and register a much-needed four-pointer. Brilliant family thinking. On the right edge, both Jamie and Angus looked dangerous and it was only a matter of time until Harry broke through and posted points, which in end led us to an outstanding victory.

This weekend presents an opportunity to mix up our player positions and try a few new combinations as we go head-head with Enfield. We’re back at the home of rugby league Burrows Park, and with showers and refreshing 30km southerly wind forecast, we’re in for an absolute Burrows Park treat. Please arrive at 11.30 for a 12.10 kick-off. We look forward to Max O’Loughlin making his debut this weekend and finally, demonstrating the breadth and success of our recruitment drive this year, we welcome Julian Greenfield to the team direct from the United States.

From Hollywood to Burrows Park…rugby league is where legends are made.

See you on Sunday

Cheers, Jimmy Vesper
0449 262 475