Hitchin 3rd XV 13 Harlow 4th XV 57

Merit Table

Saturday 9th October 2010

The first of this seasons match reports must start with a quick word about last weeks game against Letchworth.  According to their match report they dominated us in the scrum and called Danny Fitz a 42 tonne whale.  We scored a pushover try, stole pretty much every one of their put-ins and eventually the ref had to step in to save their hooker.

This week saw a mixed team travel to Hitchin with loads of players unavailable due to injuries and personal commitments.  We made sure as usual that everyone got on and that our new players had the opportunity to demonstrate their new found tackling skills.

The last time we played Hitchin, after the game their whole team drove off leaving us in the clubhouse having a beer, this time we recognised most of the team.  Gaggy reminded us that last time we played we were 20 points down in as many minutes and we never really recovered, so determined not to make the same mistake this time we got off to a good start.

Hitchin from the off got stuck in and piled on the pressure, thankfully this time we did not concede any points and then the power of the scrum began to kick in.  Danny, Neal, Chris made short work of their front row although it was hard going. Barney and Andy provided the powerful push which enabled Neal to stop hooking and just step over the ball.  Neal was quite mean really and only allowed the Hitchin hooker a few opportunities to get the ball from their put-in. The back row was as ever, mobile and quick to the breakdowns.

Harlow opened their account when debut winger Craig went over in the corner, the forwards had sucked in the defence and quick ball saw the try scored. Justin, Crabby, the other Neal, Nathan, Rob s and Jumbo were lethal in attack.  The next try was scored by Dean, playing flanker he cut through the defence and with a glorious hand-off (which I did not see but promised I would write about) scored close in. 

The backs started to create havoc with Crabby and Neal McM both scoring before half time.  Crabby was able to convert 3 out of 4 and at half time the score was 26-8 with Hitchin having kicked a penalty and scored.
Throughout the first half Barney dominated the lineout; we won pretty much all our own ball and some of the oppositions.  With Dean going up as a second jumper we were able to vary the lineout, something which we do not usually do.

The second half saw a few changes with Barney and Andy being replaced by Big Dan and Little Dan and John Stock, Darren and Lee the new winger getting on to the pitch.  The scrum continued to dominate although I suspect the Hitchin front row were sorry to see Chris and Danny go off.

5 more tries were scored by Harlow Crabby and Neal Mcm both got another one each, I scored from a brilliant offload by Gaggy, Nathan scored 2.
Hitchin were also able to score another try after sucking in the defence and spinning it out wide.

The whole game was a hard fought affair and all credit to Hitchin that in loose play Harlow had to fight for every ball.  The score reflects well on us and does not really give credit to Hitchin who put up a strong fight.  Our backs were ruthless in their finishing and all credit to Jumbo who pulled something at the start of the game and was unable to join the line very much.
Well done to the chilli vodka boys, hope you were ok afterwards.
Funny moments- Hitchin scrum half complaining that getting a scrum was not really much of advantage for them.

The referees wry smile when explaining that had Harlow not been pushing before the ball came in, then the feed would not have been necessary to behind the second rows feet.

Neal the hooker just stealing every ball off the Hitchin hooker, even the ones fed to the second row.

Spooner giving some positive feedback to Barney and Andy explaining that they had come off because they were s**t (only joking he said a moment later)

MOTM-Neal and the other Neal I reckon this week.  Barney for his performance last week.

COTM-Both Neal and Crabby had opportunities to score their 3rd try and so be eligible to buy a jug.  Both failed to score, probably on purpose.

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