Hackney 23-34 Hitchin
Hitchin kicked off their 2024/25 league campaign with an away match at Hackney.
As is often the case with opening fixtures, this match proved to be a high scoring affair. Hitchin came racing out of the gates, and after two minutes a loose ball 5 metres out fell into the grateful hands of Second Row Matt Trussell to score the opening try. A lengthy break for a serious injury to a Hackney player followed.
Hackney have a notoriously efficient rolling maul, and their first effort carried them 20 metres up the field. A spilled pass changed the momentum, and a clever kick from Fly Half Pete Stanbury was carried back over the Hackney line, resulting in a 5 metre scrum. The pack advanced towards the line, and Captain Frazer McGown finished the job, Stanbury converting for a 12-0 lead.
A dropped ball from a kick off gave Hackney an opportunity, and the hosts collected a loose ball from a lineout to produce their first try. A penalty kick at goal was missed, but a retake was allowed and the Hackney 10 added the 3 points.
Hackney took the lead after 30 minutes when they opted for a quick tap penalty and exploited a huge mismatch in numbers to saunter over on the left edge.
A series of scrum penalties in field was the platform for Hitchin's third try. McGown fed Winger Oscar Norton-Taylor to put Hitchin within striking distance, and from a ruck Prop James Bolter powered over the line from point blank range. Halftime score Hackney 13-17 Hitchin.
The bonus point try came early in the second half from a well worked lineout. McGown received a middle ball and found Flanker Ruiri Shanahan at full speed, breaking through the covering tackle to score. Stanbury extended the lead to 11 points.
Hitchin were threatening to run away with the match when territorial pressure created a mismatch on the left edge, Second Row Matty Knight finishing the effort on his league debut for Hitchin.
The match turned again when Hitchin had a player sinbinned and, under intense tryline pressure, received another yellow card to go down to 13 men. Hackney took full advantage, scoring a forwards effort in the next play, and the pacy right winger outstripping his opposite number to take Hackney within a score.
Hitchin, now back up to a full complement, responded with a counter attacking effort. Full Back Jack Maydom generated momentum with a carry and offload. Norton-Taylor put in a terrific tackle when Hackney threatened to break, and Hitchin set up camp on the Hackney line. Bolter's strength once again came to the fore, and Hitchin were back in control.
The final two minutes was scrappy, and a fly hack into touch brought about the final whistle. Final score Hackney 23-34 Hitchin.
September is a busy month for the Hedgehogs, with matches over all four weeks. The 2XV play under the Friday Night Lights at home against Weston in a 19:30 KO, before the 1XV take on Brunel University on the Saturday, kick off at 3pm.
Team James Bolter, Ewan Rawlings, Maximillian Steinbach, Matthew Trussell, Matthew Knight, Adam Baird, Ruiri Shanahan, Frazer McGown, Ryan Godfrey, Peter Stanbury, Daniel Barnes, Simon Taylor, Marcus Goss, Oscar Norton-Taylor, Jack Maydom
Subs Lewis Montague, Henry Godfrey, Adam Howard, Ian Crompton, Benjamin Wiggins
Scores T: James Bolter (2), Matthew Trussell (1), Ruiri Shanahan (1), Frazer McGown (1), Matthew Knight (1)
C: Peter Stanbury (2)
Player(s) of Match 1. Ruiri Shanahan
The league: Counties 1 Herts/Middx