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 Southward
The league: Herts/Middlesex 1