This article includes a corrected score. We apologise for publishing incorrect details in a previous version.

The Allenton Colts claimed the win at this year’s Mid Canterbury Rugby Union Colts finals.

They beat out the Molloy Agriculture Methven Colts 34 - 22 last weekend, claiming the title and rounding out their season on a high.

Colts head coach Ryan Jamieson said it was a tough-won match.

“[Methven] had done a bit of work in the last couple of weeks, it was a game that they’d been targeting.

“They definitely turned up for it and pushed us all the way.”

They’d last played Methven in the Colts Combined Country Competition, where they’d won 38 - 17.

Allenton took out the trophy for that game as well, beating the Ohoka Colts 27 - 13.

Jamieson puts it down to years of hard work on and off the field, most of whom have been with the Allenton Colts for two or three years.

“When you've got a group of 18 to 21 year olds, there is a little bit of separation, but over last year and certainly this year, they’ve definitely unified,” he said.

“This was just a productive year for the young guys.”

He said the boys had put lots of work in during preseason to both get battle-fit and make friends with each other.

That was helped by a Queenstown tour where they played a central combined game and did some team bonding in the downtime.

“When you've got a group of 18 to 21 year olds, there is a little bit of separation, but over last year and certainly this year, they’ve definitely unified.”

About nine players will leave the team next year, but Jamieson said there’s plenty of talent to push the team to higher heights next year.

“It’s a championship team, so the whole lot of them are star players.”

Jamieson, supported by forwards coach Lance Chapman and manager Mark Johnson, was awarded club coach of the year at Allenton’s prizegiving.

“Really cool to get the recognition for that.”

Allenton Colts’ captain Henry Hobbs said the win felt “pretty unreal”.

“The boys have worked hard all year, so to get that result and finish on a high was massive.”

“There was a lot of pride in the jersey, and just a great way to send off the season with the lads.”

He said the culture of the team is what led them to victory in the final game.

“[The boys] showed up, did the work, and backed each other.

“We trained twice a week and made the most of it, kept things pretty focused but still enjoyed it.

“We just stayed consistent all season and kept building each week.”

His advice for next year’s crew? Back yourselves.

“Colts goes fast, and you’ll miss it once it’s gone. Make the most of it.”

By Anisha Satya