The Junior Colts in action against Campbell College

Junior Colts on a learning curve

The College's Junior Colts furthered their rugby education shortly before the start of term with a three day pre-season tour to Belfast.

Playing against the two top teams in Northern Ireland in their age group on consecutive days was always going to be a tall order and despite putting in some creditable performances, so it proved.

In the first matches against the Campbell College U15s, who only lost one game in two terms last season, the Junior Colts A XV lost 18-54 and the Junior Colts Bs were beaten 0-45.

Unfortunately for Epsom, it was their second opponents, Sullivan Upper, who inflicted the only defeat on Campbell last season and the A team lost 14-40 and the B team suffered a 24-32 defeat.

Despite the results, coach Ben MacDowel said he was encouraged by the improvements in play shown by the boys and, in particular, by the level of understanding that has developed amongst the squads, which augurs well for the new season.

In between matches the party had time to take a sightseeing tour of Belfast, play five-a-side football at the Shankhill Leisure Centre and go ice skating at the Belfast Ice Bowl.