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Men 1XV 10 v 5 Finchley RFC - Away League on 15 Feb 2020

Published on Monday, 17 February 2020

Men 1XV 10 v 5 Finchley RFC - Away League on 15 Feb 2020
 
Skipper Sean assists Ben to covert

Hitchin  travelled to Summers Lane in league action and, despite Storm Dennis creating challenging conditions, the match was played out against long term rivals Finchley.

 

Hitchin kicked off with the wind on our backs, yet the opening kick failed to travel the requisite 10 yards. As both teams adapted to the conditions, two distinct styles became apparent: Finchley trusting their quick backline in a more expansive game; Hitchin favouring power through the middle. After a shaky start, Hitchin earned territory by getting forward momentum through the middle, Fly Half Ben Wiggins peppering the corners with wind assisted kicks. Despite solid defence from Finchley in their own 22, an infringement was spotted and Wiggins took the 3 points on offer.

 

Finchley struck back with sustained possession, and some neat inside lines allowed them to gain inroads. A break from the rangy 15, a thorn in our side all afternoon, down the left touchline was offloaded for Finchley to run in a try, the conversion narrowly missed. 

 

After a momentum changing tackle from hooker James Bolter, Finchley conceded a penalty for not releasing, and Wiggins opted for the kick from 45 metres, 10 in from the touchline, gust assisted. The kick narrowly missed, but Finchley opted to run it and a pass went out of play, gifting Hitchin a 5 metre lineout. A series of muddy exchanges later, Hitchin earned a penalty from a 5 metre scrum, but were unable to walk the ball over the line from the second scrum. After a series of surges for the line, and with Finchley distracted by pods sets either side of the ruck, flanker Ryan Arbon picked the ball and went straight through the middle to score under the posts. Wiggins' conversion made it 10-5 to the visitors. So it remained until the half way mark, Finchley running for the shelter of the changing rooms, Hitchin opting to remain familiar with the elements. Would this be enough of a lead for Hitchin, now facing the full fury of Dennis?

 

Prop Tom Brown, returning after a four week absence, came on at the half, and immediately the Hitchin pack began to dominate. His boots proved less up for the challenge, collapsing within 10 minutes, and a footwear substitution took place. Flanker Sam Thompson sustained a knee injury, Brown moving to flanker and Akrill returning to the front row. The balance of play was certainly in the Hitchin half, but Finchley were not having much joy in possession. Some kicks found space, but the Hitchin well fielded all kicks that came their way, and one threatening kick caught the wind and crossed the dead ball line, bringing play back 40 metres for a Hitchin scrum.

 

Full Back Will Evans cleared perhaps the most dangerous tactical kick with a well executed clearance kick, making 20 crucial metres against the howling wind. Lineouts were a disadvantage on such a windy day, and the Hitchin pack often put Finchley on the back foot, so set pieces rarely served to benefit the hosts. Centre Carwyn Morgan was narrowly denied a try from a multi-phase team move. As the match entered it's last 5 minutes nerves set in and possession changed hands frequently, but play was outside the Hitchin 22. With 1 minute to play Hitchin slowed the game down, and as final play was called, Scrum Half Elliot Gibson kicked the ball off the park (after a couple of bounces!) to end a scoreless second half and seal a hard fought victory.

 

It was not a day for bonus points or beautiful rugby. It was a day for getting over the line, and the Hedgehogs are becoming increasingly capable of winning tight encounters. Hitchin remain in 6th, 11 points behind 5th placed Finsbury Park, who visit KGV next Saturday.

 

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Team Sean McGinnity, James Bolter, James Akrill, Matthew Trussell, Jonathan Welsford, Ryan Arbon, Thomas Brown, Armel Baufume, Elliot Gibson, Benjamin Wiggins, Greg Ranson, Glynn Hughes, Jonathan Whitby, Carwyn Morgan, William Evans

Subs Adam Shaw, Samuel Thompson

Scores T: Ryan Arbon (1) C: Benjamin Wiggins (1) P: Benjamin Wiggins (1)

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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