Another excellent morning for the U8s against the best team that Hitchin have played so far this season. Our defensive line was breached a few times by a pacey and skilful Letchworth team but the players all worked hard for the team, showed good discipline, and took the training work around support play and positioning on board well to help ensure the unbeaten run continues.
ANTELOPES
Game 1 - won 6-9
Despite the cold morning, Hitchin started brightly against a strong Letchworth side but were being held 2-2 until just before half time when Harry J and Fenton extended the lead with some well worked tries and hard running.
The second half was similar with chances and tries for both teams but Hitchin came out on top after some excellent defensive work from Lucy, Ertan and Alfie particularly. Further tries from Noah, Curtis, Harry and Lucy resulted in a hard fought 9-6 win against a tough Letchworth outfit.
Game 2 – drew 9-9
And end to end encounter with some fine defensive tagging, support play and running from both teams. Fine tries from Fenton, Alfie, Curtis, Harry and Lucy kept Hitchin in the lead after being a try down early on but after a last minute try from Noah was disallowed and with the last play, Letchworth sneaked the equaliser despite some good defensive work from Hitchin. A fair result in the end though and Letchworth were worth their draw with some excellent tries and passing play.
POTM – Harry Jervis for some blistering tries despite close attention from Letchworth’s defence, and Ertan Osman for very sportingly volunteering to play for Letchworth in the first game, and whose support play and tagging efforts kept them in the game for long periods.
BISONS
Game 1 – Won 5-7
In parky conditions the Bisons warmed up the crowd with an array of slick passing moves that edged them to a win over a skillful Letchworth unit. Even though it took Hitchin a few minutes to warm up early on, they had slick tries through George Turner (2) and Osian Jones in the first-half to show for their efforts, as both sides went in at 3-apiece. After the break, it was left to Adam Miles to score the try that changed the game. With a cute step, Adam made a lighting break up the right touchline to dot down, but he’d been given the opportunity after some tenacious tagging had earnt the Antelopes an all-important turnover. A fine individual try by Dylan Messer, and another try each from Osian and George saw the visitors coming away with the hard-fought spoils.
Game 2 – Won 5-10
In their second and final game of the day, the Bisons, buoyed by their opening win, started to work better as a team, pressurising the Letchworth attackers, retaining their focus and forcing them into mistakes by not allowing them to settle. Their team-work was rewarded as Adam, George, TJ Hobbs and Osian all crossed the whitewash for try-braces, often running in from distance, with Nikhil Lall also a key component in facilitating an avalanche of tries with neat linking play. Other scorers included the elusive Dylan Messer and the powerful Tristan Hall.
POTM: The Bisons won their games thanks to their teamwork, but one player stood out for his support play. George Turner was forever on the shoulder of the ball-carrier, and offered himself as a support runner. It’s an invaluable trait to have.