Coalville’s fitness the difference

Coalville welcomed Matlock to the Memorial ground last saturday on the opening match in Midlands 2 East(North).

Also present was the Vice Presidents luncheon pre match with 100 invited guests, with Norman White(President), Mark Wheeldon(development manager), Ben Toft(director of rugby), Sam Massarella(1st team captain) and Simon Phelps(Colts coach) all speakers before the lunch. Coalville also continued its oneclub motto, with players and volunteers giving an incredible 256 kg of food donations for Coalville Foodbank.

A crowd of around 300 in perfect weather conditions witnessed a 5 star second half performance from Coalville as they ran in 33 unanswered points, after being 3 nil down at the break. Both sides started cautiously as not to make any mistakes with the Coalville defence the one's under contant pressure, finding it difficult to even get out of their own half. As half time approached Matlock took a deserved lead with a penalty in front of the posts.

If the first period belonged to Matlock then the second was all Coalville as holes appeared in the visitors line as Gadsby, Keeling, Turner and Richmond sliced through time and again. The Coalville forwards set the platform well led by captain, Massarella, with eager hands willing to carry ball at any time. Turn over ball by E.Rotstein started the move for Coalville's 1st try, as brother H.Rotstein carried well with help from messers Grant and Quail. The ball made it’s way out wide where Pennington touched down to the right of the posts, Keeling added the conversion for 7-3 to the hosts on 51 minutes. Follows and Tang were creating havoc with their tireless running at the Matlock rearguard, culminating in the 2nd try by Turner with Keeling again successful with the conversion 14-3 on 57 mins. On the hour mark a neat grubber kick from Grewcock set up Richmond for the try,19-3. Two changes for Coalville as Moretta and Tang were replaced by Chamberlain and Richards. 10 minutes later E.Rotstein got on the score sheet with Coalville's 4th try and bonus point gained, with Keeling again on target with the extra's to make it 26-3. Change again for the home side Savory in place of Richmond. Coalville's 5th and final try and the pick of the bunch scored by Wickwar who finished the move in style,Keeling adding the extra's for 33-3.
Spokesman Billy Measures said after the game "splended all round performance by the whole team great defence in a tough first half and superb finishing in the second".
Coalville in action again on 28th September away at Newark ko 3pm.