Player of match Tom Tidey breaks a taclke
Hitchin travelled to Finchley, seeking to continue their excellent form of the previous week, but for the second time came away with just a losing bonus point , Finchley being credited with a winning try moments before the final whistle, to win by one point.
Finchley kicked off down the slight slope on a pitch that was a bit soft and after some early exchanges either side of the half line ,Finchley had a scrum on the Hitchin 10m line. The number eight picked up, made a good run down the blind, linked with his winger and when he was tackled the quickly recycled ball was fed inside for Finchley to score unconverted try.
Hitchin moved play to their opponents’ half but were penalised, allowing Finchley to clear to the half way. But the visitors were starting to improve with the forwards doing well in the tight and loose situations, and the backs defending well . They struck back with some powerful runs by forwards, Stuart West, and Sean Mcginnity, and James Bolter took the ball to the Finchley 22 and when he was stopped the ball was quickly sped along the back for Charlie Palmer to score, Jack Peachey converting
Hitchin attacked again, gaining a lineout on the 10 m line but the chance was gone as Finchley cleared to relieve the pressure . Hitchin went further ahead when Tommy Tidey went over wide out after a penalty was taken quickly inside the Finchley half. The conversion fell just short of the crossbar.
The visitors continued to dominate territory and possession, but failed to add to the score line . Finchley were penalised for offside, but Peachey’s attempt from 35 yards again fell just short with half time approaching.
Hitchin started the second half in the same form, and with good moves from the backs came close to scoring, but a penalty awarded to Finchley stopped them in their tracks. Ali Southward made a welcome return after a long injury break and his side continued to dominate, taking their opponents strike twice in the set piece, but without any scoreboard success
With 15 minutes to go, the home side found a new gear and were close to scoring in the left corner, stopped only by a try saving tackle by centre Ruiri Shanahan . Their efforts were rewarded howeve, minutes later, with a penalty in front of the posts, duly converted to narrow the gap to 4 points.
Another injury to Southward forced him off the pitch, and with Hitchin reduced to 14 following a yellow card to number 8 Anthony Williams ,they facing a difficult last few minutes
The hosts pressed the line before a clearing kick from Peachey took play to relative safety, and with 3 minutes left it seemed that with good ball control all was safe. However a backs move broke down in midfield, Finchley regained possession and took play to the Hitchin line. Determined defence kept them at bay , although a number penalties threatened another yellow card, as wave after wave of Finchley attacks on the try line. Eventually the ball was moved wide to the right , where the defence was at last breached, and although the ball – by all accounts – was not grounded, the try was awarded to break the hearts of players and supporters alike, as the final whistle followed the unsuccessful conversion.
This was a game that Hitchin could and should have won, but not enough was made of their superiority for much of the game
WeSt Norfolk RFC vast Old Hale Way on Saturday in round 3 of the London & SE Senior Vase competition
Team Sean McGinnity, Thomas Tidey, Stuart West, Nick Panton, Ryan Arbon, Lewis McCracken, Jamie Dingle, James Bolter, Rhys Gregory, Jack Peachey, James Aylott, Carwyn Morgan, Ruiri Shanahan, Charlie Palmer, Adam Howard
Subs Anthony Williams, Alistair Southward, Elliot Gibson, Adam Shaw
Scores T: Thomas Tidey (1), Charlie Palmer (1)
C: Jack Peachey (1)
Player(s) of Match 1. Thomas Tidey, 2. Anthony Williams, 3. James Bolter
The league: London North West 3