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1st XV 36 v 15 Saracens RFC - Away League on 26 Jan 2019

Published on Monday, 28 January 2019

Following the disappointing loss at home against Hendon, two weeks earlier, the Hedgehogs returned to something like form, to register a try scoring bonus point win at Saracens, and maintain their position of second in the league

Once again, the forwards scrummaged well, but on the day the lineouts were largely ineffective, gifting too much possession

to the home side, who were still in the game after a closely contested first half.

 

Hitchin were reduced to 14 for the last quarter of the game following the issue of a red card for retaliation, but held on in what became a scrappy 20 minutes, salvaged only by their 6th try, minutes before the final whistle

 

 

A penalty for holding on in the tackle gave Saracens their first three points after just two minutes.

Hitchin struck back with Fred Rooney making a dash down his wing only to be forced into touch by the cover defence 10 meters from the Saracens line.

Saracens were penalised for a deliberate knock on, and Hitchin opted for the scrum, and after several phases and considerable pressure from the Hitchin forwards, Ben Wiggins went over for a try;  his conversion bouncing off the upright.

After 12 minutes a poor clearance kick led to a penalty against Hitchin, Saracens won their lineout 10 metres from the Hitchin line and went over for an unconverted try.

Hitchin struck back as, following a lineout in Saracens’ 22, the ball was moved across field for Ali Southward to cross in the corer

With a few minutes left in the first half, he visitors moved the ball from their 22, and a break by centre Carwyn Morgan was halted on the Saracens 22r line, but they were able to recycle the ball quickly for Elliot Gibson to cross in the corner for a try, this time successfully converted by Ben Wiggins.

Just before half time, as Hitchin failed to exit having won a defensive lineout, they  were penalised for hanging on, but a relatively simple conversions was missed by Saracens with the score at 17 -8

 

10 minces into the second half a penalty against Saracens was kicked for a line out 5 metres out; the lineout was lost but the kick by Saracens was fielded by fullback Southward who dodged his way through the defence to score close to the posts.  Ben Wiggins added the conversion.

A great run by Fred Rooney from his own 22 resulted in Armel Baufume being held up over the line; from the scrum Hitchin went for the pushover try which Saracens try to stop illegally, resulting in the referee awarding a penalty try.

After 20minutes Hitchin were penalised and Saracens went for a lineout 5metres out, from which they mauled the ball over the line for a try , successfully converted.

Although now down to fourteen men, Hitchin had the last word with James Bolter touching down from a strong maul near the line, the conversion attempt bouncing harmlessly off the upright to make the final score Saracens 15 Hitchin 36

 

 

Next week Hitchin travel to Sittingbourne, in the quarter finals of the London& SE Junior Vase competition




Team Sean McGinnity, Thomas Tidey, James Akrill, Ryan Arbon, Nick Panton, Pierre De Rancourt, Frederick Rooney, Armel Baufume, Daniel Wiggins, Benjamin Wiggins, William Rooney, Carwyn Morgan, James Bolter, Elliot Gibson, Alistair Southward

Subs William Sale, Ruiri Shanahan

Scores T: Alistair Southward (2), James Bolter (1), Elliot Gibson (1), Benjamin Wiggins (1) C: Benjamin Wiggins (2)

Player(s) of Match 1. Alistair SouthwardHerts/Middlesex 1 The league: Herts/Middlesex 1

 

 

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Hitchin Rugby Limited, King George V Playing Fields, Old Hale Way, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 1XL England, Charity No. 1159772
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