Match Centre

Ryton take spoils under the lights

Match Report – Consett Colts 7, Ryton Colts 16

The new season kicked off under the Friday night lights at Consett, with the Colts eager to showcase what they’d learned during pre-season and how the squad would come together following the departure of last year’s senior players.

The opening exchanges were evenly matched, both sides playing a territorial game and testing each other’s defences. Consett settled first and looked the sharper in attack. Will Penrose cut a lovely line through the Ryton defence and looked certain to score, only for the ball to slip away right on the try line. Two more efforts were held up over the line – chances that would later prove costly.

Ryton took advantage of their first real opportunity. A penalty allowed them to kick to the corner, and after a clean lineout and a series of tight pick-and-go phases, they powered over for the opening try. The conversion was missed, giving the visitors a 5–0 lead.

Consett responded positively and began to play with more confidence. From a scrum on their own 10-metre line, fly-half Logan spotted a gap and darted through. Tackled just short, he managed to offload to the supporting Seb Brown, who marked his Colts debut with his first try for the side. Penrose added the extras to put Consett ahead 7–5.

The remainder of the half was hard-fought, with both sides attacking and defending with intensity but neither able to find another breakthrough. At half-time, Consett held a narrow 7–5 lead.

The second half began with Consett once again pressing hard near the Ryton line, but a penalty for holding on cut their momentum. Ryton then failed to find touch with their clearance, but Consett couldn’t capitalise, conceding possession once more. As the half wore on, discipline began to slip for the hosts, and Ryton were quick to punish them. Two penalties in quick succession were slotted through the posts to swing the scoreline back to 11–7 in the visitors’ favour.

With the clock winding down, Consett pushed desperately for a late winner. Camped just metres from the Ryton line, the forwards looked to drive over, but a costly decision to move the ball wide saw the fly-half smothered and driven back almost 20 metres. Ryton forced the turnover, shifted play wide, and crossed in the corner for the decisive score, sealing a 16–7 victory.

Consett will look back on this game knowing it was one they could have won. There was plenty to admire in their performance – commitment in defence, sharp running lines, and promising attacking play – but a little more control and patience will be the key going forward. As a first league outing, there are strong foundations to build on as the team now turn their attention to this week’s home clash against Gateshead.

Player of the Match: Ollie Kuzmenok