1st Team v Old Hamptonians RFC - Away League on 27 Feb 2010

Old Hamptonians 28  Hitchin  8

Hitchin stumbled to a fourth league defeat in a row on Saturday with a poor performance at Old Hamptonians.  With the forwards lacking any real fire and the backline unable to make any sort of ground on a wet sticky pitch the home side scored a well deserved win.  Hitchin battled throughout the game and, despite the scoreline, were never really outplayed however it was Old Hamptonians who converted their chances.  When Hitchin put periods of play together they began to look like the pre-Christmas side that seemed to score points at will.  One of the few bright moments of the afternoon came from a perfectly cleared ruck.  The ball was sped down the line and Carwyn Morgan took an incisive line through the defence.  With only one defender left Morgan then passed to winger Richard Gregg who cruised over the line untouched for Hitchins only try.

It can be no coincidence that Hitchins poor run of form over the past month has been during a period of bad weather and heavy pitches, but if promotion is to be a realistic target then this will have to be addressed.  Coach David Marshall said "It was a disappointing result today (Saturday) but with a great, and unexpected, win for West London against Old Streets elsewhere in the league our result today will have had no real bearing on our final league position.  I think that promotion this season is now going to be unlikely unless there are some massive wins for the lower sides.  We have now got to start putting things in place for next season and make sure we have a real chance of promotion then.  On the upside the pressure is now off the players in the team so they can get back to really enjoying the game and throwing the ball around.  We have a good, young, strong squad and I think that we can really make a difference next season.  Everybody has been disappointed at the performances over the last couple of weeks but I expect to see a bit a character come to the fore now as we continue to develop."


Team Dave Archer, William Corrigan, Richard Stidolph, Nick Panton, Philip Hobbs, Joe Benucci, Karl Brooks, Chris (Kitkat) Davies, Ed Taylor, Jack Peachey, James Larman, Vincent Kevans, Jesse Gerhard, Richard Gregg, Carwyn Morgan

Subs Graham King, Matthew Dyer, Marlon Banton, Tom Leith, Mick Carey

Scores T: Richard Gregg (1) P: Jack Peachey (1)