Old Streetonians 36 Hitchin 24
This top of the table clash in the wilds of Hackney Marsh proved a step too far for the young guns of Hitchin on Saturday. Despite taking an early lead a very strong Old Streetonians midfield managed to close down any space and did not allow the Hitchin back line any time on the ball.
The game started with an early exchange of penalties and each side playing a very conservative style of game. A second penalty, awarded to Hitchin, saw Jack Peachey attempt fall just short of the posts. Confusion in the Old Streets defence allowed skipper Rob Willoughby to pounce on the loose ball and drive over the line. A Peachey conversion brought the score to 10 - 3 in Hitchins favour. With space in midfield all but none existent Hitchin were forced into repeated turnovers and despite the heroic efforts of young Duane Brand in the back row inevitably Old Streets broke the Hitchin line with a well worked try, against the run of play.
Two further home tries came in the first half and Hitchin turned at halftime 26 - 10 down, but still not out of the game. A further Old Streets penalty and converted try saw them stretch their lead early in the second half to 34 - 10. The Hitchin side then rallied and started to control more of the set piece play. It was from one such play that a training pitch switch move between Carwyn Morgan and Willoughby put Brand into space. With work still to do from 20m out Brand drove over the line, the Peachey conversion adding 2 extra points. Further set piece pressure towards the end of the match resulted in a superb piece of offload rugby that eventually saw Sean McGinnity sweep over the line, although there maybe be some dispute on the final hand who touched down, again Peachey hit the conversion and left the score at 36 - 24 in favour of Old Streetonians.
Due to the recent bad weather and the fixture cancellations Hitchin now face Old Streetonians at home this Saturday in what culd be described as a promotion play-off. Following the game coach David Marshall said "We were out gunned today, especially in midfield. We have some work to do this week addressing things that perhaps did not work as well as they should. There are some areas for us to work on, specifically for the next game but I think we have a great opportunity to turn the scoreline around when they come up to Hitchin on Saturday.
The top of the table clash kicks off at King Georges Playing Fields in Hitchin at 2.15pm next Saturday and the young Hitchin side are hoping for a change in fortunes in front of a large home crowd.
Team Sean McGinnity, Marcus Moore, Richard Stidolph, Nick Panton, Philip Hobbs, James Drury, Duane Brand, Joe Benucci, Ed Taylor, Jack Peachey, Matthew Lippard, Rob Willoughby, Vincent Kevans, James Larman, Carwyn Morgan
Subs Iain Charnley, Edward Bellamy, Chris Betts
Scores T: Sean McGinnity (1), Duane Brand (1), Rob Willoughby (1)
C: Jack Peachey (3)
P: Jack Peachey (1)