Hitchin put
in a promising first half performance against fifth placed Kilburn Cosmos, with
good territorial advantage and possession, to lead at half time. However, after
turning round, opportunities arose for the dangerous Kilburn backs to run in 3
tries, as possession was too easily given away
Hitchin
kicked off and straight away attacked the Kilburn line, & after just 3
minutes Ben Wiggins converted a penalty in front if the posts, awarded for a dangerous
tackle . More moves saw both wingers involved as the
backs moved the ball across the pitch, but failing to breach the Kilburn
defence.
Kilburn at
last took play deep into the visitors’ half, and opened their score after 10 minutes as a clearance kick was charged down and the loose ball
picked up and quickly moved for a try in the corner, unconverted
The Hitchin
pack were competitive and providing good ball, and Kilburn were penalised as
they defended in their 22, for Hitchin
to kick to touch. Moving the ball across the pitch from the line out, Hitchin
gained a scrum, for Wiggins to use the resulting
possession to kick deftly to the corner for winger Alistair Southward to chase,
collect & and touchdown, the conversion just missing
As half
time approached the home side broke through the mid field to take play to the
22, for the Hitchin defence to hold out and successfully keep their 3 point
lead.
Kilburn
started the second half with a converted try in the opening minutes, as Hitchin
kicked the ball away and their backs ran
good lines to break through a scrambled defence to score under the posts to take
a four point lead
Hitchin
moved back on the attack threatening a score, the forwards
in particular exerting considerable
pressure, but although
coming close to crossing the line were
unable to breach the home side’s defence , but after 10 minutes Wiggins
converted a penalty to narrow the gap to just one point at 11 – 12
As the game
entered the last quarter, Kilburn gained possession to break away deep in their
22 for their backs to run the ball wide to outstrip the Hitchin defence and
score under the posts for 7 points
Late in the game a high kick out of
defence by Hitchin bounced in midfield and Kilburn were able to gather and run
it back to score another unconverted try ,to deny Hitchin a losing bonus point.
At 11-22 the visitors attempted to close the
gap, but a heavy pitch was taking its toll, and the control of the first half
was no longer evident.
Team Thomas Tidey, Joshua Page, James Akrill, Ryan Arbon, Samuel Underwood, Philip Hobbs, Robert Shaw, Anthony Williams, Carwyn Morgan, Ben Wiggins, William Rooney, James Bolter, Harry Cartwright, Alistair Southward, Jack Peachey
Subs Harry Elleston, Dale Baines, Adam Shaw
Scores T: Alistair Southward (1)
P: Ben Wiggins (2)
The league: London North West 3