Hitchin 48-19 Hampstead
On a bright and breezy day at Old Hale Way, Hitchin were determined to pick up their first win of the season.
Centre Simon Taylor made a break from halfway and offloaded to scrum half Elliot Gibson, who was tackled at the 5 metre line. Prop James Bolter surged over the line from the base of the ruck.
An attacking lineout was mauled close to the try line, but Gibson was held up over the line.
Hitchin's scrum started in dominant fashion, and earned a penalty 7 metres out. Choosing to scrum again, the Hampstead pack crumbled, allowing Number 8 Frazer McGown to touch down.
Having barely put a foot wrong in the first 15 minutes, Hitchin conceded a penalty. The kick to touch missed the target, but the attempted clearance kick was charged down and Hampstead won the chase to the loose ball to score their first try.
Hitchin earned a penalty at the 22 metre line and kicked to touch. Hampstead repelled the initial drive, but when the ball was passed out centre Ian Crompton pounced on a loose ball and passed to full back Glynn Hughes to score Hitchin's third try.
Ill discipline was starting to creep in, and two poor penalties marched Hampstead up the pitch. An offload set up a ruck 10 metres out, and the fly half found the full back on a short ball to run through unopposed.
Taylor again found a soft shoulder and offloaded to Crompton at full pace, who span off the full back's tackle to score the bonus point fourth try from fully 60 metres out.
Half time score 22-14.
Within 2 minutes of the kick off Hitchin had extended their lead. Another line break from Taylor set the platform, and after a few phases, fly half Rhys Gregory found debutant flanker Martin Day at full pace to power over the line.
After further strong carrying, the Hedgehogs forced Hampstead into conceding a penalty 5 metres out. Club Captain Bolter's decision to tap and go caught out a tired Hampstead defence, and his pass found McGown in space to score his second.
The try of the match followed soon after. A counter ruck allowed Winger Adam Shaw to pick up and Shaw ran through the fringes. Before the covering defence could isolate Shaw, he put in a deft infield kick perfectly into the path of flanker Dan Barnes, who touched down Hitchin's seventh try.
A series of penalties gifted Hampstead possession deep in Hitchin territory. Hampstead worked the ball from right to left and the winger touched down in the corner. Shortly thereafter, Barnes paid the penalty for the team's poor discipline with a ten minute sinbin.
With the game already won, Hitchin had lost some focus and Hampstead were pushing for their bonus point try. Cover defence and excellent counter rucking won the ball back time and again.
With Barnes back on and the Hampstead 10 in the sin bin for a late tackle, Hitchin had the final say. The pack earned penalties off a maul and a scrum, and Winger Bertrand Debeuf nearly scored on the right edge, before Man of the Match Taylor darted over. Final score Hitchin 48-19 Hampstead.
Next week both the 1XV and 2XV head to Datchworth to renew their rivalry in league fixtures.
Team James Akrill, James Hunt, James Bolter, Nick Panton, Armel Baufume, Martin Day, Jack Galer, Frazer McGown, Elliot Gibson, Rhys Gregory, Ciaran Sale, Simon Taylor, Ian Crompton, Bertrand Debeuf, Glynn Hughes
Subs Gary Ayres, Daniel Barnes, Adam Shaw
Scores T: Frazer McGown (2), Glynn Hughes (1), Daniel Barnes (1), Ian Crompton (1), Simon Taylor (1), James Bolter (1), Martin Day (1)
C: Ciaran Sale (4)
Player(s) of Match 1. Simon Taylor, 2. Jack Galer, 3. Nick Panton
The league: London 3 North West