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Men 1XV 34 v 15 Kilburn Cosmos Rugby Club - Away League on 25 Jan 2020

Published on Monday, 27 January 2020

Men 1XV 34 v 15 Kilburn Cosmos Rugby Club - Away League on 25 Jan 2020
 
Prop James Akrill on charge to line

 

The Hedgehogs travelled to Kilburn Cosmos, the two sides locked on 22 points in the London 3 NW table. An outstanding first half display set Hitchin on their way to an important victory.

 

Hitchin made a forceful start and soon became camped in the Kilburn 22. Nerves were apparent as several promising set plays ended in knock ons. There was no escape for Kilburn, and from an attacking platform, Fly Half Ben Wiggins, on his debut as Captain, swung a big miss pass perfectly in to the stride of Left Wing Will Rooney, who scored in the corner. The lineout was vastly improved, but Hitchin conceded a penalty when Cosmos stood off an attempted rolling maul. On the next opportunity, Lock Jon Welsford took matters into his own hands, receiving the lineout and simply powering through himself. Not to be outdone, fellow Lock Matt Trussell picked and went from the back of a ruck and slipped through 3 opponents to score from close range. Hitchin defended well under considerable pressure in their own 22, then worked their way up the pitch. The 4 try bonus point was secured before half time, Full Back Will Evans beating his team mates and the defence to touch down a delicate attacking chip kick. Halftime score 0-22.

 

Second rows are a competitive breed, and Welsford and Trussell were determined to outdo each other with surging runs into opposition territory. A penalty was awarded following one such run from Trussell. From the resulting lineout on the 5 metre line, a rolling maul was contested, and the second roll proved unstoppable, Hooker Steve Freeman scoring the try. Welsford was unlucky not to add to his tally, getting on the end of a length of a field effort, ruled out after a controversial line call. As both sides rang the changes Hitchin lost their momentum, and Kilburn came back into the match. Quick play after multiple phases got Cosmos off the mark, and a well worked backs move off an attacking scrum earned them a second score. Hitchin had lost their patience and discipline of the first half but still could rely on individual flair, with Evans, Centres Glynn Hughes and Jon Whitby, and Number 8 Armel Baufume particularly prominent. After entering the Cosmos red zone, Hitchin worked their way from left to right, replacement Scrum Half Dan Wiggins reversing the direction of play and finding Prop James Akrill on the run to break the line for Hitchin's 6th try. As the game came to a close, Hitchin spurned an attacking opportunity and gave away a series of penalties, Kilburn taking advantage to score on the right edge on the final play. 

 

The points racked up in the first half forgave a disjointed second half performance. Nevertheless this was a hugely positive showing after a difficult start to 2020. Hitchin climb to 7th place, and take on 6th placed Old Merchant Taylor's FC at KGV next Saturday.



Team William Sale, Stephen Freeman, James Akrill, Matthew Trussell, Jonathan Welsford, Glynn Hughes, Samuel Underwood, Armel Baufume, Elliot Gibson, Benjamin Wiggins, Greg Ranson, Carwyn Morgan, Jonathan Whitby, William Rooney, William Evans

Subs Philip Hobbs, Adam Shaw, Daniel Wiggins,

Scores T: James Akrill (1), Jonathan Welsford (1), William Evans (1), Matthew Trussell (1), William Rooney (1), Stephen Freeman (1) C: Benjamin Wiggins (2)

London 3 North West The league: London 3 North West

 

 

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Hitchin Rugby Limited, King George V Playing Fields, Old Hale Way, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 1XL England, Charity No. 1159772
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