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Men 1XV 10 v 15 Cheshunt RFC - Away League on 11 Jan 2020

Published on Monday, 13 January 2020

Men 1XV 10 v 15 Cheshunt RFC - Away League on 11 Jan 2020
 
Sam Thompson scores
The Hedgehogs kicked off 2020 with a strong performance but only one point to show for it, as two lapses in concentration ultimately decided the encounter.
 
Hitchin had suffered a big defeat at home to the same opponents earlier on in the season, but on a run of three wins before Christmas, there was a confidence that Hitchin could upset their fifth placed hosts. The excellent artificial pitch facilitates swift, running rugby; but Hitchin stuck to what we do best, punching holes through the middle and winning the physicality battle in the first half. Intelligent kicking from Centre Jon Whitby and Fly half Ben Wiggins pinned Cheshunt in the corners, forcing the hosts to play out from their own 22. Possession was also in Hitchin's favour, and strong ball retention drew a series of penalties which took play into the attacking red zone. The pressure inevitably gave, Flanker Sam Thompson scoring the opening try, converted by Wiggins. As the half came to a close and with Cheshunt exerting pressure on the Hitchin line, the ball was turned over, but a touchfinder kick was charged down and Cheshunt were first to touch down. Halftime score 5-7.
 
Hitchin continued to play positive rugby in the second half, and a dominant scrum was frequently winning the ball against the head. As both teams tired gaps were starting to appear, and a high tackle from Hitchin presented a kickable opportunity, the ball striking the inside of the post on its way over to give Cheshunt a one point lead. A weak chase from the subsequent kick off left a gap and Cheshunt punished this mistake, running 60 metres to score under the posts to extend the lead to 8 points. 
 
In the final 20 minutes Hitchin returned to a strong carrying game which proved effective, however the lineout was misfiring and often turned over by Cheshunt. As the clock ticked to 75 minutes Hitchin were awarded a scrum on the Cheshunt 5 metre line, but despite four consecutive Cheshunt infringements no penalty try was forthcoming. A penalty was kicked by Wiggins from in front of the sticks with 2 minutes to play. The ball was retained by Hitchin from the kick off, but on final play we ran out of room on the left edge and the final whistle blew.
 
A losing bonus point was scant reward for the balance of play within the 80 minutes, but it was a performance that bodes well for the remainder of the season as Hitchin look to climb the table. League leaders Old Streetonians visit Old Hale Way next Saturday.


Team Thomas Brown, Stephen Freeman, James Bolter, Ryan Arbon, Jonathan Welsford, Anthony Williams, Samuel Thompson, Armel Baufume, Elliot Gibson, Benjamin Wiggins, Greg Ranson, Carwyn Morgan, Jonathan Whitby, William Rooney, William Evans

Subs James Akrill, Samuel Underwood, Ross Howard,

Scores T: Samuel Thompson (1) C: Benjamin Wiggins (1) P: Benjamin Wiggins (1)

London 3 North West The league: London 3 North West

 

 

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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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