Hitchin 31-40 Old Streetonians
The Hedgehogs kicked off their first ever season at level 7 in the league system with a home fixture against Old Streetonians.
The central Londoners, who finished at this level last season, won the territorial battle at the outset and scored the opening try after 5 minutes. They extended their lead to 10 with a straightforward penalty. An unexpected shower precipitated a change in Hitchin's fortunes, and a slick wrap around play put centre Simon Taylor through, fending off two would be tacklers to finish from 40 metres out. Shortly thereafter quick ball from the midfield worked an overlap for Winger Will Rooney to score, and Fly Half Ben Wiggins again converted for a 14-10 lead.
Hitchin withstood tryline pressure but conceded a penalty in front of the sticks which was converted. With possession and free ball on the 22, Wiggins lofted a deft kick over the defence to put Rooney in, but the referee adjudged no downward pressure was applied, and Hitchin had to accept the 3 points on offer. Streets threatened as half time approached, but a slippery ball resulted in handling errors and Hitchin went into the interval with a 17-13 lead.
The visitors scored a try on the right edge early in the second half, and began to edge the territorial battle through the boot of their fly half. Their third try came from a halfway scrum, and off the second phase the full back hit a short ball at pace to tear through the Hitchin defence. The bonus point try followed soon after, the Hitchin defence failing to read a simple play from an attacking scrum.
With a 15 point deficit to recover, Hitchin hit back almost immediately with another midfield line break from Taylor, who rounded the full back. A penalty was conceded in front of the posts and Streets took the points. Hitchin applied pressure and quick tap penalty from scrum half Glynn Hughes found Captain James Bolter at full speed to break the line and score under the sticks.
The win was within reach, but Flanker Adam Baird received a yellow card for a high tackle. Streetonians played smart and kept the ball in midfield until they found a soft shoulder. From the next phase, the right winger picked a pass off his ankles to score in the corner with the final play of the game. Final score Hitchin 31-40 Old Streeetonians
A 4 try bonus point was of little solace, but this was an encouraging performance from a youthful Hedgehogs side who will learn from this experience. Next Saturday the Hedgehogs travel to Chiswick.
Team James Bolter, James Hunt, Harry Trowsdale, Nick Panton, Lewis Montague, Adam Baird, Frederick Rooney, Frazer McGown, Glynn Hughes, Benjamin Wiggins, William Rooney, Ruiri Shanahan, Simon Taylor, Bertrand Debeuf, Phillip Ryan
Subs Jonny Robertson, Matthew Trussell, Jack Maydom, Adam Shaw
Scores T: Simon Taylor (2), William Rooney (1), James Bolter (1)
C: Benjamin Wiggins (4)
P: Benjamin Wiggins (1)
The league: London 3 North West