Hitchin U16 11 v Ruislip U16 24

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Hitchin U16’s 11 V Ruislip U16’s 24

A perfect day for rugby, bright and fresh, the first problem to overcome was that our shirts were the same colour. An ever resourceful Brian to the rescue.

Playing on the 2nd team pitch Hitchin opt to play up hill and into the wind. Hitchin looked tight and together as a forward pack and the first scrum of the match was all power from Hitchin. Good runs from forwards mixing with backs led to a penalty under the Ruislip posts. Christie converts, 3 - 0 up and looking strong.

After a great break up to the right from Will Jay, he punts the ball down the wing, chases and pressurises their back 3. A lineout ensues and Hitchin take good clean ball. again working towards the line. Ruislip are strong in defence and hold many of our attacks out. Another penalty under the posts and we are 6 – 0 up.

A maul is set on our 22. Ruislip have the ball at the back, their blonde 2nd row breaks up the blind side and scores under the posts. This is the turning point of the game. Hitchin have leaked an easy try and are now 7 – 6 down, heads drop unnecessarily. Almost immediately Ruislip come back with another try caused by missed tackles up the centre of the pitch.

Daniel has words with the team and after the conversion they again work their way up the pitch. Ruislip scrum half is playing chicken with the offside line and putting good pressure on Elliot who is not getting the clean ball he deserves. This results in a penalty 7 meters out. George takes a quick tap, and using his strength and aggression bursts through tackles to score a good solo try.

Half time score 11 – 14

Hitchin coaches talk to the players at half time and are satisfied that we can turn the game around in the second half. Matt comes onto the pitch and gets involved, always in support of those inside him.

It is at this stage that the game takes a turn for the worse. There are incidents at the bottom of rucks and mauls that the referee cannot see. Ben is swung at by a Ruislip player and he instinctively retaliates. The away supporters try to influence the referee. To his credit he is having none of it and asks that both coaches talk to the teams. Ruislip score two well made try’s and it is clear that events have put Hitchin completely off their game. Final score 11 – 24.

Some pictures on the gallery - more to come

Positives – Hitchin took every lineout in the first half and never looked like loosing ball on their own throw. When we had forwards running from depth we looked very dangerous.

To work on – Scrums were poor in the second half and when heads dropped tackles were missed. Work-rate of the pack must improve.

Man of the match – Joe again, who had a great performance and was always at the heart of the rucks and mauls and made some great runs.

Remember if you can not make training please let the coaches know.

Jim 07815077643 – text or call
Brian 01462 624646 or 07966548861
Amos