Shrewsbury Colts are on the march for a slice of national glory – but have been handed a tough tie in the fourth round of rugby’s Investabroad Properties National Colts Cup.
The Sundorne Castle prospects, impressive 29-12 conquerors of Old Coventrians last weekend, have been drawn at home to Bedford Blues who are attempting to win the prestigious competition for a fourth time in five seasons.
Bedford trounced Kettering 76-3 in the third round and will head to Shrewsbury in a tie scheduled for January 23.
Coach Paul Pryce was delighted with Shrewsbury’s display last weekend and he’s hopeful of making further progress.
Pryce was at the helm of the club’s under-17 team who reached the quarter- finals of their National Cup before finally bowing out to Lincoln in 2008.
Five members of that successful team lined up for the Colts last weekend. And Pryce believes the current Colts side, which is open to all under-19 players at the club, is progressing nicely.
“Last year’s under-17s have come into it this year and now we’re gelling well together as a team,” said Pryce.
“We’ve not got any superstars and the lads just want to play for each other.”
Shrewsbury blew Old Coventrians away in the first half last Sunday as they raced into a 17-0 interval lead at Sundorne Castle, an advantage they were never in danger of relinquishing.
“It was a good all-round team performance,” said Pryce.
“All the lads have come through from the club’s junior section from the age of nine or 10 and they’re all local bar Jack Miller who is a gap year student at Shrewsbury School.”
Shrewsbury ran in five tries with wingers Brendan Ranby and Oscar Shanagher – who has become a first team regular this season – joined on the scoresheet by inside centre Miller along with props Scott Bentley and Danny Barker.
Shanagher completed the scoring by adding two conversions.
“We train each Tuesday and we’ve got good players,” added Pryce.
“But we’re always looking for more.”
Anyone interested should contact Paul Pryce on 07703 330637.
Shrewsbury’s first team, meanwhile, have the chance to recharge their batteries as they have no game this weekend.
Keith Fowles’ men suffered a fourth straight home defeat in Midlands Two West (North) last Saturday when they went down 19-11 to Leek.
By Stuart Dunn