The Future is Bright, the Future is SKY BLUE

On an afternoon where the week was dominated by late withdrawals and a unavailability list which would have crippled most teams, Fordingbridge II produced a performance which delighted the traveling hoards.

Colts making their first Senior starts were James Ratcliffe and Lewis Routledge, the latter an outside half with twinkling toes and a great step who played an almost perfect game, kicking when he should and overall showing maturity beyond his years which would have first team stalwart Steve Brown looking over his shoulder.

Bridge made an unbelievable start with Phillip Collier making a barnstorming run, flattening any Weymouth player in his wake and any divots in the sticky Weymouth pitch, he eventually off loaded to the backs with Tom Shepphard powering over from short distance, converted by Dean Lewis. Phillip Collier looked over to his mum and winked 'That ones for you!!'

Inspired by Collier, the rest of the pack dominated Weymouth the scrum and lineout which has been a feature of their play this season, all the more surprising that they cannot get a settled team. Ratcliffe this time proving to be the main man.

Identified in training as a potential openside flanker Tim Beer in his two games has justified his move forward with a Sam Warburton like performance, tackling like a demon and showing an almost leadership quality which bodes well for the future.

The next score was from another colt who again is playing with a consistency which makes him the first name on the team sheet each week, Tom Madgwick scoring after 12 minutes converted by Dean Lewis.

Despite being 14-0 up Bridge were determined not to take their foot of the gas, and continually threatened the Weymouth line, with a back three of Will Knight, Alex Sanders and Josh Merry, skipper for the day Mike Parry was encouraging the team to use the pace of these youngsters, and it wasn't long before a loose kick from Weymouth was punished when Josh Merry fielded a kick and ran 60 metres without a finger being laid on him, linking with Will Knight who looks to have fully recovered from his injury to score in the corner.

19 - 0 and seemingly in control of the game a plethora of replacements started emerging from the Weymouth dugout, which resulted in a slight powershift, however, Bridge overcome this to score another try by Will Knight. 24 - 0 and a first half try scoring bonus point.... perfect.

Aware that the Weymouth bench had more to come, pressure just outside the Weymouth 22 resulted in a penalty which under the circumstances you would expect bridge to kick to the corner and look to really turn the screw, but skipper Parry decided to take a shot at goal which converted by Dean Lewis, gave the a 27-0 half time lead.

Half Time 27 - 0

Bridge knew the second half was going to be tough with more replacements made by Weymouth, a solitary try by James Ratcliffe was all they could muster. But as Dwight D. Eisenhower quoted "There is no victory at bargain basement prices" this was to prove right as basement club Weymouth came back at Bridge. Scoring 3 tries of their own.

A lot can be taken from this performance, which proves there is a massive talent pool within a relatively small club. They have all grown up with a work ethic and a game plan which can easily be transferred between teams, first, seconds or colts the ethos is to go and enjoy yourself, we are not professionals, we are Bridge and we are proud to pull that Sky Blue (or this week red) shirt on each week and play for each other.

A great performance.

Home game next week against Bournemouth who again will be a tough test. Get your availabilty in early.