U9s runners up at Barnet

« Unlucky Hedgehogs | Main | Bishop Stortford 15 v Hitchin 7 »

Hitchin U9s were runners up to Fullerians in the festival.

Hitchin U9s took a large squad to the (sunny after showers) Barnet Festival and came away as runners-up. 23 players contributed to 2 wins out of 4 matches. Fullerians were the winners (as in many of the other age groups). We were all very proud of our offspring as they went into battle for their first competitive contact match.

GAME 1 Datchworth 3 v Hitchin A 2
Aaron, Aless, Ben S, Eliza, Frazer, Harry, Jack, Oliver P, Tom.
Scorers - Ben, Oliver.

Aless (who else?) got the first tackle in, before a storming run by Ben allowed Oliver to go close. Ben got a try then another of the big un's, Oliver made it 0-2 at HT. George, Lilian and William M came on but a spate of missed tackles allowed Datch to score good tries and steal it 3-2. This was a similar loss to that at the county festival.

GAME 2 Fullerians B 3 v Hitchin B 5
Andrew, Ashley, Ben W, Chris, Daniel, Joshua, Max, Oliver M, Russell.
Scorers - Oliver 2, Daniel, Ashley, Chris.

Chess Valley did not bring their 9's, so Fullers put in their B side. The Hitchin "B"s showed some of the "A"s how to tackle as they brought their men (we were the only team in the 9's to have any girls, (3) I believe - anyone see any others?) to the ground. Ashley in particular showed great courage. He also ran like a man possessed. 1 weetabix for breakfast is the answer, apparently. Oliver made a great run to start the scoring, with Joshua running strongly. Daniel got in after Joshua again made ground.

1-2 at HT. Andrew came off for William J. Oliver ran well for his try and Chris showed good tackling skills before scoring. Always ahead, they won 3-5 to keep up hope.

GAME 3. Barnet 4 v Hitchin A 5
Scorers -Tom, Frazer, Harry, Eliza, Lilian.

The As stormed back with an exciting win over the hosts. Tom made a trademark jink for the first and the tackling was much improved. Nick guided George to go like an Excocet missile, but he did not always make contact. 2-1 at HT. Oliver made good ground for Frazer to get in, then Harry and Eliza made it 4-4. A good run was halted by honest Tony calling touch, despite Tom gathering and heading for the line! Lilian’s Mum was back with this game by now and delighted in seeing her score the winning try. Wow!

GAME 4 Fullerians A 4 v Hitchin B 2
Scorers- Oliver, Joshua.

Winner Takes All

Unbeaten Fullers or our 9s for the cup? William Js delight at his own tackle lead to him celebrating as if we'd won the Ryder cup 3 times in a row (we did later). Fullers got 3 tries in the first half, one rather dubiously grounded.

Better play after Tonys HT team talk lead to our tries, but another from the Fs saw them home. Special mention to Ashley, Max and Joshua, (playing his first games I believe - what a prospect!) for their play. Tony has found it increasingly hard to pick players of the week, so this may be dropped this year, but for me, the scribes award goes to Ashley, for his commitment to running and tackling.

A big well done to everyone though for a good days rugby. This team will get better and better. Training next week. After a deluge of volunteers for the kitchen duty on 15th October (!) , I have asked Andy, Steve J , Steve M and Kevin to do this one. They may be called the B squad. The A squad will be myself, Nick, Trevor and AN Other. Anyone wishing to make up a C squad, please let me know. There are 3 duties this year, 2 on match days. There will doubtless be further ones in the coming years!