Nick Panton smashes over the Cheshunt line.
Hitchin 26 Cheshunt 5
Hitchin recorded a much needed bonus point league win on Saturday against neighbours Cheshunt in a match that the homeside controlled for long periods of play. The scoreline could have been a lot higher had final passes gone to hand and 'white line fever' not gripped players at critical stages of play.
The scoring was opened by scrum half Heiney Schlehmeyer. A series of plays had taken the ball to the edge of the Cheshunt 22m. When the visitors left space at the side of the breakdown Schlehmeyer needed no second invitation and shot through the gap to score under the posts. With Jack Peachey adding the conversion Hitchin took an early 7 point lead. Cheshunt then had their best spell of the match as Hitchin seemed to relax and, following a number of scrum resets on the Hitchin line, finally drove over in the corner to cut the deficit. The homeside then changed the speed of the game and some quick hands found no. 8 Nick Panton out wide. With only one defender to beat Panton smashed over the line to re-establish Hitchins 7 point lead.
Halftime came and went with Hitchin controlling more and more area's of the game. A series of short passes and great support work down the flank was finished when Duane Hughes-Brand cruised over for Hitchins 3rd try. With the clock running down a breakdown in the middle of the pitch saw Carwyn Morgan pick up and drive through the middle of the breakdown to run clear and secure the bonus point win.
Team Stuart West, Joe Benucci, James Bolter, Ryan Arbon, Philip Hobbs, Will Jeffries, Duane Hughes-Brand, Nick Panton, Heinrich Schlehmeyer, Dale Baines, Matthew Hawtin, Patrick Hurst, Jack Peachey, Matt Lippard, Carwyn Morgan
Subs Sean McGinnity, Samuel Underwood, Graham King
Scores T: Heinrich Schlehmeyer (1), Duane Hughes-Brand (1), Carwyn Morgan (1), Nick Panton (1)
Player(s) of Match 1. Ryan Arbon, 2. Will Jeffries, 3. Patrick Hurst
The league: London North West 3