Hitchin A 12 vs Cheshunt 7
U15A Match Report: Sunday 9th December 2012
HML League 3
Tries (2): Dan H (1), Sam J (1)
Cons (1): Max (1)
Squad: Benji, Dan C, Dan H, Frazer, George E, George V, Harry E, Jack, Joe, Jordan, Maitiu, Max, Ollie M, Ollie P, Saiful, Sam J, Sam R, Tom, Taylor,
It’s a bright, breezy day with a blustery cold wind blowing down George V as we host the last league game of 2012 against Cheshunt. Cheshunt have turned up with a heavyweight team and with both sides undefeated in the league (we are top), this game is likely to be intense from the start!
Cheshunt win the toss and select sides, leaving Hitchin playing into the low sun. Hitchin kick-off with a deep kick that rolls into touch giving us a lineout within 5m of Cheshunt’s try line. We win the lineout but a dropped ball gives us a knock-on scrum – still at 5m. Jack steals the ball from the back of the scrum and powers through with Sam J shadowing to within 2m of a try but Cheshunt’s strong defence holds us back. Continuous Hitchin pressure keeps the ball in Cheshunt’s half with a number of forwards’ forays towards the try-line but Cheshunt’s defence remain steadfast. Finally a penalty conceded by Hitchin gives Cheshunt a chance to clear the ball into touch at the centre. Cheshunt attempt a short line-out pass to the front of the line which the ref disallows resulting in a scrum reset. Hitchin secure the ball from scrum but a sloppy pass down the line gives Cheshunt’s forwards a chance to steal a loose ball and run two-thirds of the pitch to score a try in the centre of our posts. A successful conversion leaves the opening score at Hitchin 0 – Cheshunt 7 at 18 mins into the game. Hitchin restart with a deep kick into Cheshunt’s half and maintain pressure keeping the ball largely in Cheshunt territory for most of this first half but a tough defence frustrates all try attempts leaving the half-time score at Hitchin 0 – Cheshunt 7.
Cheshunt kick-off the second half with a deep kick into our half. Dan C secures the ball and delivers an accurate kick into the corner giving us a lineout just 5m short of the try line. Hitchin secure the ball from the lineout and deliver a barrage of forward attacks on the try line. Joe gets close but it’s Dan H who completes winning us a try in the opening minutes of the second half. Max faces a tough conversion near the touch line with stiff crosswind but he doesn’t disappoint, equalising the score at 7-7. Cheshunt restart with a deep kick into our territory and pressurise well, with a couple of powerful forward runs to try that are held up. Finally a penalty conceded by Cheshunt gives Dan C an opportunity to clear to touch. We win the lineout and push forward. Another penalty concession gives Dan C a chance to kick to corner with great accuracy giving us another 5m lineout. We win the lineout but Cheshunt’s defence holds strong despite repeated Hitchin attempts to try. A knock-on gives us a scrum at 5m near the posts. Fly-half Benji scoops up a ball that bounces straight out of the scrum and attempts a try but it’s held up. Another 5m scrum gives us a second chance and this time Sam J powers across the try-line to score the winning try. Max attempts a difficult conversion but the wind has picked up and it falls wide leaving the score Hitchin 12 – Cheshunt 7. Cheshunt attempt a rapid restart in the closing minutes of play but it’s all too late as the final whistle sounds! The win keeps us at the top of the League, with a chance of promotion in the new year.
A tough game of rugby against a much heavier team. Hitchin kept the pressure on throughout most of the game but a tough Cheshunt defence was out to thwart our attempts. Consistent teamwork and persistence finally paid off with a narrow win. Man-of-the-match awarded to Dan H with Cruncher going to Olli P.