We had another excellent morning on Sunday as we hosted Luton (and also Kempston), playing three matches, recording three wins, scoring twenty tries and only conceding two. Both the Cougars and Jaguars got to play, with both teams performing well, we competed physically with a strong Luton side and then when we attacked we were very dangerous with ball in hand.
Match reports below – thanks Martin
Hitchin Cougars v Luton Won 25-0
Luton always prove a good physical match for our teams, so it was good to see the Cougars put in a strong start to the morning. Our visitors started one man short, so Freddy kindly agreed to swap teams, playing a blinder and making one 10m dash down the left wing. Our forwards were keen to get set-piece perfect today, and a mighty fine platform was created with great scrums and line-outs a key feature of all three matches. From one early scrum, Luton were pushed back and Connor took advantage of defensive gap to run through and score on the right for 5-0. Luton came back hard and our defence held firm, with Alex Jack and Morgan absorbing tackling the Luton forwards. From next scrum, we go good possession and Connor past the ball blind-side to Harry who darted forward, was held but offloaded nicely to Dan, who powered through, and despite good tackle he was able to stretch over to score for 10-0 lead. Luton attacked, Ciaran made a super tackle on their Mr Big, with Sam B, Connor and Tom tackling well to keep Luton in their half. The final move of the half saw us win line-out 5m from our tryline, Connor to Ciaran who made an amazing run the length of the field, weaving through four defenders on the way to a 15-0 half-time lead. We started well after the half time orange, with Jack bashing hole in the Luton defence, Dan taking the ball on, Sam B supporting, ruck won and Connor going right where defence thin, unselfishly passing to Dan who scored for 20-0. We were soon getting the ball wide again with Connor break, Ciaran and Dan supporting well. The final score came after scrum won, Jack burst up middle, penalty for Hitchin with Alex powering over from 5m for a good 25-0 win.
Hitchin Jaguars v Kempston Won 35-0
Kempston U10’s were playing their first game of the season, and found the battle hardened Jaguars a challenging opener, but they fought hard all morning. Dylan got play started with a burst up the centre, good support with Ethan L taking us deep into Kempston half, and Sam K displaying roadrunner pace for a 5-0 lead. Kempston attacked and Max and both Ethans held defensive Great scrums and line-outs again, with Dylan Alfie & Rory winning lots of ball for the pacy back line. Second try came after great rucking, with Kai feeding Ethan L who showed his speed and strength in beating three players on a mazy run. Great line-out work from Dylan who was catching everything, Kai made a good break, held up just short but Laurence on his shoulder to take score to 15-0. The final try of the half came from Ethan L tackle and good ruck, with Sam K zooming through for 20-0 half time. Kempston attacked hard, the Ethan and Tom made tackles, Sam K stopped a sure try forcing player to touch. Dylan (displaying facial mud warpaint) wins line-out, Kai makes break offloads to Laurence who scores on wing for 25-0. Great rip of ball and run from Ethan B through defence but unable to get ball down for try, but turnover on half way saw another zippy manoeuvre from Sam K to take Jaguars to 30-0 lead. More line-out ball for Dylan, Kai break and finds Laurence on blind side with a speedy finish in the corner and 35-0 score. Great tackling with Rory and Alfie leading the way, brilliant ripping of ball in tackle from Henry, then offload to Oscar who burst into Kempston defence, support from Kai, Tom and Max, but we were unable to add to the score.
Hitchin Jaguars v Luton Won 40-10
Luton started and were greeted by wall of Alfie, Rory and Dylan. Big scrum from Hitchin, Kai goes blind, passes to Ethan L who dashes 10m on right to score. Luton attack thwarted by Ethan B & Laurence, Max collects and breaks, good ruck from forwards and Sam K finds space to take Jaguars to 10-0. Luton hit back from restart with one of their forwards blasting through on a big run for 10-5. Jaguars strong in midfield with Sam K break and good pass to Ethan L who powered through tackle on line to score 15-5. Luton again used their forward power to score despite fine tackles from Sam K, Dylan, and Alfie, for 15-10. Jaguars finished half with good ruck, and Ethan B weaving left through defence for 20-10. Rory started second half with big run, Hitchin penalty and Ethan L super quick on right for 25-10. Sam K took advantage of loose Luton ball from Alfie tackle to outpace defence for 30-10. Luton came back hard, big tackles from Dylan, Max & Laurence, Ethan B rip and breakaway cutting left through tacklers for 35-10. Final score came with Rory & Sam K tackles winning possession and Ethan B powering through for 40-10.
Well played in all three games, great to see the ball being offloaded more often, as we had identified after Hertford games. Also, the forwards were excellent at the scrums and line-outs today
Tries: Sam K (5) Ethan L (4) Laurence (3) Ethan B (3) Dan (2) Connor (1) Ciaran (1) Alex (1)
Player of the week: Laurence, for a storming performance on the wing for Jaguars, including hat-trick of tries in Kempston game.
Overall I was very pleased with the matches on Sunday and also with the training we had for the rest of the squad. Kempston turned up with an U10 side also, so we had to change our plans for the morning, but we still managed to get three matches played. The games themselves went very well, the Cougars put in a good strong performance in the 1st game with the forwards Morgan, Jack and Alex laying the foundation for the backs who ran well with the ball. I was particularly impressed with Sam B who had a fine game in the centre always taking the ball forward, putting us on the front foot and then making some crunching tackles in defence. The Jaguars continued the good work from Hertford a few weeks ago and I was very pleased to see them record a win against Luton, again the forwards to Alfie, Rory and Dylan competed well and once we win our ball we have some great attacking players out wide with Sam K, Ethan L and Laurence linking and combining well. We also had some training matches / games taking place so all players had a run out as we worked on different elements during these games. So another successful week and the Jaguar results indicate our strength in depth, which will be really tested next Sunday as I have arranged another tough fixture at Fullerians. Well done to all the players – another big week coming up!!!!
Player of the Week
The ‘Player of the Week’ award went to Laurence Hidle on Sunday. Laurence put in his best performance of the season in the two Jaguar games against Kempston and Luton. He scored some good tries, ran well with the ball and was always a threat. He was very focused in both he games, held his position well and also made some good tackles in defence. I was particularly pleased with his handling and team play, as on a couple of occasions picked up some loose ball on the ran, held on to some difficult passes and off loaded well in the tackle. It was a very good all round wingers display. Well done Laurence – lets see that replicated every week!!!
Tackler of the Week
The ‘Tackler of the Week’ award went to Morgan Noble this week. Morgan put in a superb performance upfront in the first Cougar game. His was part of a formidable set of forwards who really set the tone in the early exchanges and put us on the front foot. Morgan was very physical in the contact areas, he scrummaged well, showed good body positions in the rucks and mauls and put in some excellent tackles against the big, strong Luton forwards. I was also really impressed with his physical commitment throughout the morning as he then continued to make some good tackles in the training games.
Sunday 30 January
This Sunday 30 January we have two AWAY fixtures. Rob & Brian will take the Cougars to Hemel and I will take the Jaguars to Fullerians. The teams have been selected and posted on the website, all players to meet at Hemel and Fullerians between 9.45-10am. The matches will start at 10.30am..
PLEASE NOTE: If you have not been selected for these games, there is unfortunately no training at the club this week. Our next training session at the club is Sunday 6th February.