Teddington B 5 v Hitchin B 62 HML League 6 27.11.11
Squad. Sam J, Toby, Dan B, Charlie, Joe, Dan H, Will B, George E, Taylor, Jack W, Sam R, George V, Aaron, Matt, Max, Ashley G, Tom, Ashley W.
Tries: Max 2, Sam R, George E, Aaron, Matt, Dan H, Will B, Ashley G.
Cons: Max 6.
A beautiful if breezy sunny day in S West London (actually Surrey. Played at Tiffin school. The farthest we have ever travelled for a League game. We add a little sight-seeing and history to the journey with a peek at the Thames and Hampton Court en route. 62 Kilometres, a number which was to be very significant!) With a lunchtime kick off (12.30) the boys seem very hungry for this one and it is a fairly small pitch. Having been bottom of the table after the loss to OAs, we need to start climbing up to safety. With only 6 teams in this league, each game will be vital. The As have won 60-5 against Bedford B before we kick off, so we hope to at least emulate their feat, if not beat it.
We start well and win the important contests. Matt looks to be growing into the centre berth and Tom is at full back for Achilles injured Jamie H. Jack W nearly gets in, but Sam R gets over from a 5m scrum to open our account. Max fails with the difficult, windswept conversion, but will get 6 of them later today! Aaron gets the next, then George E, as we start to really assert our authority. With Max and Aaron getting one each before the break (and Matt having a stormer at centre), we are 5-24 up at half time.
Enter Will Biggs and Ashley White for their League debuts and stalwart Dan Barnes for yet another game. George V kicks well to use the wind in the 2nd half and we again pile on the pressure. Matt gets a try, bursting off a ruck. The backs try their Arrows move to good effect and Dan H gets in at the LH corner, after a great run by Tom, revelling in the freedom today at fullback. George E is enjoying a typically strong game and he and Jack do well, despite Nick’s unhelpful comment, “ You should have shown your legendary pace Jack!” Will B gets over for a try on his league debut, after Aaron’s pace and strength once caught, gets us close. Max’ kick is superb. Ashley nearly goes over, but Tony is the joker this time “if you had your hair cut you’d be able to see!”. Max gets his first, showing great determination to burst through. I thought I then saw Dan Barnes run at great speed on the far wing, but must have been mistaken, as he is a prop! Max 2nd, with conversion makes it 5-57. Ashley soon follows with a simple move down the line. Tom goes for broke and with the try-line at this mercy, pulls up with what later seems (to the untrained eye!) to be a pull of the Gluteus Minimus! (He’s hobbling around as I type this.) This is nearly it and the ref calls time on the match, 5-62.
A great performance and the highest league win I can remember for this group. Matt is deservedly named man of the match, for his barnstorming runs, but credit to everyone for their play and excellent behaviour (ping pong cricket excepted!). Overall today, with the As result, Hitchin U14s 122, the rest 10!! Training next week, then League games on the 11th. Let’s keep up the momentum, with a full turnout next week, and some more great results the week after.