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2nd XV 26 v 27 Weston RFC - Home League on 24 Sep 2016

Published on Tuesday, 27 September 2016

Both Hitchin 2s and Weston went into Saturdays game off the back of a strong start to the season, with Hitchin taking an early position at the top of the Merit table after two excellent victories.

One of the impacts of such a strong start to the campaign was a number of deserved call ups to the 1XV squad but even with key personnel missing the Hitchin 2xv, with a focused attitude this year, were still in confident mood ahead of kick off. The conditions were almost perfect on a busy afternoon at King Georges.

Last minute team selection was re-jigged to avoid impacting the 3XV and, as is the plan this season, Richard Lucas stepped in from the 19th man Managerial role to that of player…..a great opportunity to get a closer view of the players’ performance.

The game started and it was clear Weston meant business, from the first play their areas of threat were stamped on the game. A hard running 13 was going to be an unlucky number for the young and talented Hitchin back line, in the first attack of the day it took a trademark Bailey Burton take down to prevent an early score. So minutes in and Hitchin knew, and relished, that they were in a game and anything today was going to be hard earned.

The first 10 minutes was played firmly in the Hitchin half with a constant battering from the Weston back line, ably directed by their 9 who was always going to enjoy a game vs Hitchin. The defence was finally bridged and an early lead to the visitors, they celebrated like they had won the World Cup…..which added something of a fire into the Hitchin considerable bellys.

After the 10mins of defence Hitchin were keen to stamp their rugby on this game, with the speed in their backline bolstered by Matt Houlden (quite possibly the quickest person seen at the club since Jonsey once dropped a fiver!) it was clear that the forwards needed to work hard and get some ball into the hands of the running back three……of course assuming Aiken would make a full 80mins (could he really make 4 in a row?!?). Spurred on by Weston’s reaction to scoring the Hitchin pack fired itself up and the now expected hard work from Joff and Ed (Hitchin’s very own Ant and Dec) started to gain ground for the Hogs. Playing without a traditional 10 (come back Alfie !!!) Hitchin were limited in unleashing their dangerous centres so it was forward graft that led to a lineout on the Weston 22mtr line.

With a re-worked lineout Akrill and Bellamy were proving that 17 stone lineout jumpers (loose term) can make an impact and with a cleverly worked move a penalty was drawn from the opposition for an early lift…….. Reacting first the Player Coach (said fat lineout jumper) took a quick tap and carved through the Weston defence to score. The huge crowd of watching supporters were delighted and the team rejuvenated (problem realising that if the oldest player in the team can do it….so can they).

The game was really tight and Weston were a superb opposition, well organised and the game continued with both sides exchanging friendly blows. Hitchin knew if they could release Matt, Aiken and ‘The Ox’ then they must score…….but Weston were keeping it tight.

The Hitchin trio did get a break and the outcome, from 70mtrs out, was inevitable and Hitchin took the lead……conversions were light on the ground so the gap was slight. As the half time approached we then witnessed an amazing display of sportsmanship and humility from an excellent referee. The team probably feared that the Player/Coach would dominate the write up but in the last mention for Lucas he was fundamental in turning the Weston 13 inside out on the Hitchin line to prevent a certain try, but the referee initially signalled for the try (probably assuming that the powerful 13 would have run over the ageing second row!)......however a moment of reflection and a discussion with the captains resulted in an unsighted referee reversing the decision and a superb sporting gesture from the Weston skipper in agreeing.

Half time, Hitchin up……but what a game!

The Second half started as the first had finished and both teams went hard at each other. Hitchin managed to work a very quick full field break this time completed by PJ Marvel (yes he did score Friday and Saturday ahem!) as he caught the ball awkwardly with his head and managed to compose himself to finish.

So the lead was extended, but it never felt comfortable and every blade of grass was a battle. The young Elleston (still so much better than George) was continuing his performance from last week, Naylor was getting around the park, grumbling about everything (even called ‘mark’ outside of the 22……Idiot behaviour!) and the rest of the Hitchin pack was giving it everything…….but Weston were a match and didn’t relent.

Discipline and decisions were going to be the difference and with 20mins to go Hitchin started to slip up, now riddled with injuries (the coach….not him again!....had come back on to play prop, what a guy!) the team was starting to show a few cracks.

Bailey, at the referees advice, decided to take a rest on the sidelines and there was the turning point and Hitchin conceded two trys (both converted)

Still 2 points up……and Hitchin gain a very kickable penalty, missed (even with two attempts)….but that’s OK still time and with some discipline we could see this out. A monumental effort and 1 minute to go …..a maul 10mtrs out, taken in by Weston, collapses and the decision goes against Hitchin, that’s how the rub of the green goes sometimes and as the Weston 10 (who was showing the visible signs of a brutal battle with a bandaged head) stroked the ball over Hitchin 2XV were dealt their first defeat of the campaign, by one cruel point.

On a day of “If’s , buts and maybes” we have to take huge pride from the effort of the lads, to be part of a game played with such aggression but in the right way was a delight. We look forward to the return trip and chance of revenge.

From 1 to 18 a superb effort (especially 4………he was amazing!)…..better luck next week HOGS !!!

 



Team James Akrill, James Ditchburn, Adam Naylor, Richard Lucas, Joff Lord, Harry Elleston, Edward Bellamy, Ross Mealing , James Callis, Bailey Burton, Octavio Vinoly, Daniel Barnes, Jake Ware, Matthew Houlden, Aiken Verschuur

Subs Paul James Marvell, Adam Howard

Scores T: James Callis (1), Paul James Marvell (1), Matthew Houlden (1), Richard Lucas (1) C: Bailey Burton (2), Adam Howard (1)

Herts 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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