This
was a typically hard fought local derby game, which went right to the wire, the
home side clinching the win and a valuable 5 points
Hitchin
were their usual generous hosts in allowing Stevenage centre Ian Crompton to
break through in the middle of the field and getting the ball to Michael Wilson
who scored wide out in the first minute.
Hitchin
fought back and eight minutes later Jack Peachey broke through to score close
to the posts , but unfortunately sustaining what was later found to be a broken
ankle .Carwyn Morgan took over kicking duties and converted,with the help of
the upright.
Stevenage
struck back with another unconverted try by their winger Joseph Thomas, to
regain the lead
A
period of sustained pressure by Hitchin was relieved when they gave away a
penalty for holding on. Stevenage worked
the ball down field for their forwards to maul the ball over the line, Conor
Mitchell credited with the grounding under the posts, The conversion by Dane Edge also bouncing in off
the upright.
Just
before the end of the first half Ian Crompton went over for a try converted by
James Crabb ,to give Stevenage a substantial half time lead of 24 – 7
The
second half had hardly got under way when powerful runs by Hitchin forwards Sean
McGinnity and Stewart West resulted in the latter crashing over close enough to
the posts to make an easier conversion for Morgan.
Although
the Hitchin forwards were getting little possession from the line outs, they were
winning their fair share from the scrums and breakdowns, and a few minutes
later captain James Bolter ran powerfully from the Stevenage 22 to force his
way over for an unconverted try.
Halfway
through the half, after excellent continuity by the forwards, Morgan crossed
and converted his own try. This gave the home side a 2 point lead at 26 – 24
The
closeness of the contest was underlined by Stevenage's decision to go for goal
when ill discipline by Hitchin gave Stevenage two penalties within kickable range,
both of which were successfully converted by Crabb, to give his side a four
point lead
With
the clock ticking down Hitchin launched one last attack, taking play to touch 10
m from the Stevenage line. Although the visitors won the lineout Hitchin got back
possession, and after being stopped a couple of times eventually the ball came
to Morgan who managed to burrow his way to the line close enough to the posts
to make sure of his conversion, as the final whistle was blown
A final
score in an absorbing contest - Hitchin
33 Stevenage 30
A fine
team performance from Hitchin, who had lost winger Matt Houlden to an injury in
the pre match warm up and, coupled with the loss of Peachey, had several players
playing out of position.
Team Sean McGinnity, Thomas Tidey, Barry Mellor, Samuel Underwood, Philip Hobbs, Robert Shaw, Gary Ayres, James Bolter, Rhys Gregory, Duan Oosthuizen, Harry Cartwright, Jack Peachey, Aiken Verschuur, Elliot Gibson
Subs Stuart West, Ryan Godfrey, Carwyn Morgan, Daniel Holland
Scores T: Carwyn Morgan (2), Stuart West (1), James Bolter (1), Jack Peachey (1)
C: Carwyn Morgan (4)
Player(s) of Match 1. Gary Ayres, 2. Carwyn Morgan, 3. Harry Cartwright
The league: London North West 3