UCS Old Boys v Hitchin

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UCS Old Boys 47 – Hitchin 5

Saturday saw Hitchin travel away to old rivals UCS Old Boys for their second league game of the season. It was to be an eye opening experience for both players and spectators with Hitchin suffering their heaviest defeat in four seasons losing 47 – 5.

Hitchin started well competing in both the set pieces and the loose going close to scoring twice before a mis-kick allowed the UCS Old boys fullback some space to run the ball 50 yards and put his hooker and captain in under the posts for a converted try.

Resolute defence from Jimmy Scott and Dan squire saw Hitchin keep the score line at 7-nil until only moments before the halftime whistle when missed tackles cost them dearly and saw their centre score a second try under the posts. Hitchin, quite clearly waiting for the halftime whistle, were caught napping again when a kick by the UCS centre that looked like it was going into touch bounced kindly for the UCS winger who popped a well timed pass inside to his supporting scrum half to score the third try of the afternoon. This try was converted and in the blink of an eye Hitchin had gone from trailing 7-nil with only a couple of minutes to go until half time to 21-nil.

The first 10 minutes of second half showed that Hitchin were able to compete and again made significant in roads into the UCS half but were to come away empty handed due to silly penalties, poor handling and protection of the ball.

UCS again capitalised and counterattacked again scoring another converted breakaway try to lead 28 – nil.

Hitchin finally got on the scoreboard through veteran winger Dermot Coughlan following an impressive break by substitute fullback Chris Martin. Unfortunately this was to be the only highlight of the day for Hitchin despite the efforts of Hitchin scrum half and man of the match Dan squire, who at times looked like he was playing UCS on his own.

Stand in skipper for the day Scott said,
"We showed in the first 10 minutes of each half that we were able to compete, however our poor ball retention and our inability to win clean set piece ball cost us dearly. We turned the ball over a ridiculous amount of times and it's very hard to score points without it. Yes we've got injuries, but the players on the field today are all capable of very good rugby. We just let ourselves down by not doing the basics and with Grasshoppers at home this weekend we're going to have to address this.
For the sake of our season, there can't be a repeat"