Hitchin gamed their first win of the season at Old Merchamt Taylors
, thanks to a last minute penalty, converted
by Ben Wiggins
This was a game that the visitors deserved to win , and
should have won more comfortably, given their possession
and the chances they created, Ali Southward being unlucky not to have a try awarded
The pack had several changes from the previous weeks, with Lewis Pettinger and Jake Ware making their
debuts in the back row ,and the front
row of 2nd XV captain James Akril,
Tom Tidey & James Bolter carried all before them to control the scrummaging.
OMT’s kicked off but conceded
a number of penalties in the opening ten minutes, before Hitchin went on the attack
, exerting pressure on the OMT’s line ,resulting in lock Sam Underwood touching
down for Jack Peachey to add the extra
points
OMT’s drew level as the Hitchin defence were caught out of
place, to allow the OMT’s right winger to run in for a converted try from his
own half
A penalty from
Peachey edged the visitors in front, as OMT’s were again penalised
After 35 minutes a dangerously high tackle on Hitchin’s Ali Southward
resulted in a red card for the OMT’s fly half
Nevertheless, the home side added a second try to lead 12
-10 at half time
An early successful conversion by Peachey of yet another penalty
gave the visitors a one point lead , and they came close to extending the lead
when scrummaging on the OMT’s line, and
again when Southward was adjudged not to have scored.
OMT’s ran the ball from behind their own line down the right
flank to make considerable distance , but the scrambled Hitchin defence held out
Back in the home side’s half, Hitchin ran the ball through the backs but failed to beat the defence, and it was OMTs who took a 2 point led with a
penalty with just minutes to go. The Hitchin pack, however, continued to keep
hopes alive, and with OMT’s penalised in front of their posts, Wiggins stepped
up to slot the ball through the posts for victory
This was a promising performance with many fringe players making
a case for inclusion in next week’s side. A great team spirit and good
discipline throughout
Kilburn Kosmos visit Old Hale Way on 30 September, following
the first VP’s lunch of the season
Team James Akrill, Thomas Tidey, James Bolter, Samuel Underwood, Ryan Arbon, Lewis Pettinger, Jake Ware, Anthony Williams, Rhys Gregory, Jack Peachey, Alistair Southward, Patrick Simpkin, Jon Whitby, Harry Cartwright, Elliot Gibson
Subs Ben Wiggins, Carwyn Morgan, Dale Baines
Scores T: Samuel Underwood (1)
C: Jack Peachey (1)
P: Jack Peachey (2), Ben Wiggins (1)
Player(s) of Match 1. James Akrill, 2. Thomas Tidey, 3. James Bolter
The league: London North West 3