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Dev XV 18 v 12 Finchley RFC 2nd xv - Home League on 29 Mar 2014

Published on Sunday, 30 March 2014

The sun was out over Old Hale Way for Hitchin Development team against Finchley 2nd team. With neither side having a first team game, a number of players who took part in the first team clash a few weeks ago were present on both sides. This contributed to a competitive and exciting game, full of excellent performances on both sides.

 

The game started in ominous fashion for Hitchin, with the powerful Finchley pack rumbling over early on to take a 5-0 lead, with the conversion missed. Hitchin mustered after this and although the line-out was a little shaky, the Hitchin scrum started to gain the upper hand with Gus King anchoring the scrum all afternoon, ably assisted by Tommy Tidey and George Elleston.

Hitchin’s first try came through a Finchley old boy in Tony Williams after some impressive line breaks from both forwards and backs. The conversion was missed but after about 20 minutes the game was tied at 5-5 and the end to end nature of the game was making for a real spectacle. Sam Underwood was prominent with 2 outstanding runs and it was the second of these runs which led to Hitchin’s second try. After some more good forwards work, Hitchin went wide with Underwood drawing a number of players. Having been brought down just short of the line, he offloaded from the ground for Adam Howard to sprint all of 2 yards to touch down and give Hitchin the lead.

The first half ended 10-5 to Hitchin and everyone took on some much needed water after a sweltering first 40. The second half started well for Hitchin, with a number of good runs taking the team into Finchley territory. Dale Baines controlled the game well from 10 with the assistance of Carwyn Morgan in the centres to get a good balance of going wide when it was on, and keeping the ball tight when need’s be.

After a couple of scrums and penalties in the Finchley 22, Hitchin scored their 3rd try. A maul  broke down and while the Hitchin back line were lined up to go right, Adam Howard picked and went left, feeding half time sub Ashley Cochrane who showed excellent pace to get round his opposite number and then some great footwork took him past the full back to score. The less said about Ashley’s horrendous conversion attempt the better.

Finchley hit back at Hitchin, enjoying a good spell in Hitchin’s half but Hitchin held firm with some monster tackles going in, Baines, Morgan, Underwood and Williams to the fore in this respect as well. Karl Brooks was in charge of getting under the opposition’s skin and did a fantastic job. Hitchin then had their turn at attacking as the end to end game continued with Carwyn Morgan slotting a penalty to give Hitchin a 18-5 lead.

Finchley’s turn next and they eventually got a well deserved second try to take the score to 18-12, with the conversion a success, and set up a tense final 15 minutes. Hitchin spent much of this time in their own 22 with everyone putting their tackles in, none more so than Matt Lippard, downing a rampaging Finchley forward when he was the last man.

Hitchin were then reduced to 14 men with James Bull picking up a yellow card after a fairly 50/50 referee call. With just 10 minutes remaining , Finchley set up camp in the Hitchin’s 22 and were awarded penalty after penalty. But the Hitchin defence was outstanding, keeping them out and finally winning a turnover, kicking the ball out to end the game with a Hitchin win. 18-12.

These tight games are the kind of games that Hitchin teams have been losing all season across the board and the relief to get the win was palpable. This was a genuine example of the heights the Hitchin teams could have reached this season had they not suffered from the injuries and unavailability’s that have plagued the club all year.

Finchley played a huge part of what was a very even game with some excellent rugby of their own, it was a genuinely fantastic game to be involved in and once again the spirit of rugby was present throughout. And there were a few notable performances from the Hitchin side. Dom Horn made a telling comeback from University in the centres, while Tony Williams foiled his old side time and time again in an inspiring display. However when it came to voting for man of the match, there was a clear winner in Gus King, who was immense for the full 80 minutes. First team honours await we are sure.

A fantastic game, an even better win and for the first time in a long while, the Hitchin players got to enjoy the post match sing song.



Team George Elleston, Thomas Tidey, Gus King, Samuel Underwood, Edward Bellamy, Joff Lord, Karl Brooks, Anthony Williams, Adam Howard, Dale Baines, Matt Lippard, Dominick Horn, Carwyn Morgan, Kyle Hookway, Stewart Mcintosh

Subs James Bull, Ashley Cochrane

Scores T: Adam Howard (1), Anthony Williams (1), Ashley Cochrane (1) P: Carwyn Morgan (1)

Player(s) of Match 1. Gus King, 2. Anthony Williams, 3. Matt LippardHerts Mddx Merit Table The league: Herts Mddx Merit Table

 

 

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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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