Ed Taylor breaks the Cheshunt line.
The old adage of a 'game of two halfs' was never more appropriate than on Saturday in Hitchins league win over neighbours Cheshunt. A slow start from Hitchin allowed the home side to run in two tries in the first 11 minutes of the match and take a 12 point lead all the way to the half time whistle. Following the two early scores Hitchin began to battle back into the game with scrum half Ed Taylor leading the fightback. Taylors kicking from the base of breakdowns and sniping runs not only started the fightback but kept Hitchin in touch of Cheshunt throughout the first half. An early yellow card in the Hitchin backline lead directly to the second of the Cheshunt scores however a re-organised team eventually managed to hold the line until back to full strength.
The second half saw a complete transformation in both the Hitchin side and the eventual result of the match. During the first 20 minutes of the second period Cheshunt were unable to really get their hands on the ball as Hitchin sprang to life moving the ball wide, with growing confidence, and attacking from all areas of the pitch. First on the Hitchin scoresheet was winger James Larman. A break from the base of the scrum by 'new boy' Jon Perkins was finally halted on the 22m line, Cheshunt threw numbers at the ruck and managed to win the ball however a clearance kick was charged down by centre Duane Brand, the ball span loose to Larman who stepped his way over the line. A Jack Peachey conversion followed. From the kick-off Hitchin quickly moved the ball back into the Cheshunt half. A superb hanging kick from Taylor left the Cheshunt backline under all sorts of pressure and from the resultant breakdown it was the backrow machine that is Ian Thomson who came up with the ball. With only one defender to beat Thomson backed himself and went on the outside to score and level the game. A penalty from Peachey 4 minutes later moved Hitchin into the lead. As the game moved into its final stages Hitchin kept the pressure on the Cheshunt line and following a series of rucks on the goal line Cheshunt were running out of defenders. Quite fittingly man of the match Taylor saw space to the side and shot through to score and seal the win. Again Peachey added the conversion.
Team Thomas Tidey, William Corrigan, Sean McGinnity, Nick Panton, Ryan Arbon, Ian Thomson, Dominic Bush, John Perkins, Ed Taylor, Jack Peachey, James Larman, Duane Brand, Steve Merritt, Patrick Hurst, James King
Subs Joe Benucci, Philip Hobbs, Elliott Gibson, Emma Pragnell
Scores T: Ed Taylor (1), James Larman (1), Ian Thomson (1)
C: Jack Peachey (2)
P: Jack Peachey (1)
The league: London North West 3