Hertford A 26 vs Hitchin A 24
U15A Match Report: Sunday 6th January 2013
Away friendly
Tries (4): Dan B (1), Olli M (1), Dan H (2)
Cons (2): Max (2)
Squad: Aaron, Ashley, Benji, Dan B, Dan C, Dan H, Dion, Jack F, Jack W, Joe, Max, Ollie M, Ollie P, Saiful, Sam J, Tom B, Will B
We find ourselves at Hertford RFC on this first Sunday of 2013 – our first game of the year. It’s a mild, damp foggy morning and we’re fielding a mixed A/B team against Hertford who have one or two county players on their team. Our lads, having had 2 weeks off over Xmas, are struggling to come to terms with getting up so early…
Hertford kick-off and a fumbled catch gives them a knock-on scrum in our half. They secure the ball from the scrum and their fast forwards break through a confused Hitchin defence to plant their first try near our posts in the opening minute of the game! An easy conversion gives Hertford a 7-point lead. Hitchin restart with a deep kick into Hertford’s half. A fumbled catch secures us a knock-on scrum but a follow-on offside penalty allows Hertford to clear the ball. Dan C chips the ball forward with Ashley chasing on the wing but Hertford’s defence takes him into touch 5m shy of the try line. Hertford win the subsequent line-out and clear the ball. Olli M catches the ball and makes good ground up the centre but is taken down by Hertford’s defence. A penalty gives us a chance to advance and Dan H doesn’t disappoint making it over the try line but finding three Hertford hands holding-up his attempted try! We restart with a 5m scrum and this time Dan B finds a gap and scores our equaliser. Max converts successfully bringing the scores to 7 each. Hertford restart kicking deep into our half. The ball works its way back but a penalty gives Hertford a chance to make ground with a deep kick to touch. Fortunately Will anticipates and knocks it back into play leaving a knock down scrum in our half. Hertford win the scrum and chip the ball forward but Ashley outpaces their forwards and kicks the ball out of play. Hitchin restart with a drop-out kick - bringing play back to centre. Hertford concede a penalty allowing Dan C to kick high and deep and we make good ground. Olli M gets high-tackled in front of the posts giving us a penalty and we opt for a penalty kick. Max unfortunately kicks low leaving the first half scores at 7-7.
Hitchin kick-off the second-half with a deep kick and rapidly advance. Hertford work the ball down their line but it’s forced into touch. The subsequent line out gives us a chance to make progress towards a try. Under pressure, Hertford attempt to kick the ball clear but Olli M charges it down and scores our second try. Max narrowly misses the conversion leaving the score at 7-12. Hertford restart with a deep kick and their fast winger weaves past a sleepy Hitchin defence to score in the centre of our posts. A simple conversion puts Hertford into the lead at 14-12. Hitchin restart with a rapid kick deep into Hertford’s half but Hertford have soon kicked it back and advance equally rapidly. A lethargic Hitchin defence is taken off-guard again as Hertford’s forwards weave through to score another try, followed with a conversion giving a nine point lead at 21-12. Hitchin restart – a low ground-skimming kick this time followed by a rapid advance. Continuous Hitchin pressure keeps the ball in Hertford’s half securing us a knock-on scrum just 5m shy of the try line. Dan H, playing number 8, steals the ball from the back of the scrum and powers over to score our third try near the posts. Max’s conversion hits the post and bounces back leaving us at 21-17. Hertford restart and we’re off again. Dan C chips forward and this time Saiful weaves through Hertford’s front line but is taken down by their defence. Benji gets an injury and is carried off. Dan C chips forward again with Aaron chasing on the wing but is forced into touch just short of the try line. Hertford’s lineout throw is not straight giving us a scrum at 5m. Once again, Dan H steals the ball and powers across the try line to plant try number 4. Max converts successfully putting us back in the lead at 21-24 with only 5mins of play left. Hertford are now back with a vengeance and rapidly restart. Dan C captures the ball and chips forward but Hertford’s fall-back runs it back. Hertford’s forwards are soon weaving their way through our confused defence to score their final try. A missed conversion leaves the final score at Hertford 26 – Hitchin 24.
A closely-fought game of rugby – with great sportsmanship on both sides! Man-of-the-match awarded to Dan H who turned the game around at a crucial moment!
Team Daniel Barnes, Oliver Pomfret, Sam Jenkins, Daniel Holland, Will Biggs, Joe Weeks, Jack Ferguson, Jack Wuidart, Benji Cowell, Daniel Cowell, Ashley White, Saiful Alom, Oliver Malczyk, Thomas Bourne, Max Smith
Subs Aaron Maxwell
Scores 
The league: Herts / Middlesex U16 Div.1