Harrow 0 vs Hitchin A 39
U15A Match Report: Sunday 25th November 2012
HML League
Tries (7): Dan H (1), Benji (1), Olli P (1), Max (2), Sam J (1), Maitiu (1)
Cons (2): Max (2)
Squad: Ashley, Benji, Dan C, Dan H, Frazer, George E, George V, Harry E, Jack, Joe, Jordan, Maitiu, Max, Ollie M, Ollie P, Sam J, Sam R, Tom B, Taylor
Harrow host today’s league game at their ground – just down the road from the National Orthopaedic Hospital. A succession of injuries has depleted the usual A squad so we have some welcome support from our B team. It’s a bright sunny day with a stiff, blustery breeze and heavy overnight rain has turned parts of the pitch into soft bog.
Hitchin kick-off the first half playing downwind with Harrow facing into the low mid-day sun. A low ground-skimming kick gets us a good start with our boys chasing fast behind. A succession of 5m scrums reveals a strong Harrow defence as our scrum pack persists in try attempts. Eventually, Dan H breaks through to open Hitchin’s score line. Max attempts a conversion in difficult windy conditions without success leaving our opening score at 0-5. Harrow restart with low kick that’s passed down the line to Dan C who kicks forward giving our fast wingers a chance to run past Harrow’ front line in hot pursuit. A fumbled catch secures us a knock-on scrum in front of the posts. This time it’s fly-half Benji who steals the ball from the scrum and carries forward to score try 2 for Hitchin. Max struggles to convert in very breezy conditions leaving the score at 0-10. Harrow restart again and this time hooker Ollie P runs a whole 50 yds to plant our third try of the day! Dan C attempts the conversion without success giving us a 15 point lead. Harrow regroup and restart with another low kick and this time make good progress into our half with some solid rucking and passing. However our defences hold tight leaving Harrow point-less at half-time.
Harrow kick-off the second half with new tactics – attempting a deep kick into our half. Hitchin kick the ball straight back into Harrow’s half and advance. A succession of kicks back and forth ultimately ends up with one going into touch – giving us a lineout near the bog! Fortunately a non-straight throw turns this into a scrum but slippery conditions send Ollie P off with a twisted ankle injury. A couple of quick substitutions allow Tom and Harry to come off, replaced by Ashley and Maitiu. A great pass down the line gives Max a chance to run the wing and score our 4th try near the corner. Max completes with an accurate conversion giving us a 22 point lead. Harrow restart with a low kick that falls too short giving us a scrum restart in the centre. George E steals the ball from the scrum and passes down the line giving Ashley a chance to run the wing. Olli Red shadowing cuts in carrying the ball to 5m but is stopped in a high tackle. The resulting penalty gives Hitchin a chance to regroup and it’s Maitiu who powers through Harrow’s defence with Sam J completing our 5th try. Max narrowly misses the conversion leaving the score at 0-27. Harrow re-start again. This time Frazer gets a chance to run the line with Taylor in hot pursuit. Dan C chips the ball forward and it’s Max who completes our 6th try –but misses the subsequent conversion bringing the score to 0-32. Harrow restart again in the closing minutes of play. Once again Frazer and Ashley run the wing making good progress to within 5m of the try line. Another penalty given to Hitchin gives Maitiu a chance to power through the last 5m and plant our final try of the day. Max completes with an accurate conversion giving a final score of Harrow 0 – Hitchin 39.
A great game of rugby in tricky, slippery conditions where Hitchin controlled the game from the start. Consistent teamwork and good, solid rugby from our lads left Harrow with very few options to advance but they persisted professionally to the end of the game – true gentlemen! Man-of-the-match awarded to Frazer with Cruncher going to Olli M.