Hitchin U16 53 v Tabard U16 5

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This report will be brief. If I spoke about all the good play this report would go on longer than one of Amos’ South Africa stories…

After the disappointment of losing to Stevenage with only 13 men it was clear from the meet at 11am that the boys wanted to put the records straight. New players and quality players coming back to the side meant that the squad had some depth for the first time in a few months. From the kick-off Hitchin set down a marker. Hard hits from the back row and a rush defence, led to a scrum 10 metres out. George picks from the back of the scrum and shows great pace and power to drive over and take the first try. With a strong wind blowing across the pitch Christie uses the wind to float the ball between the posts. 7 – 0
The next try was scored by Christie, who cut the line with great pace and timing. He scored under the posts, the pack again giving Steve a great platform from which to work. Christie converted his try. 14 – 0
Dave was playing his first game for Hitchin RFC, already being established in the school side. I had heard good things of Dave and he proved them to be true. After a Tabard attack broke down on the Hitchin 10 metre line Dave picked up the ball and showed great pace and strength to break two tackles and score under the posts. Again Christie converts (I now cut and paste CHRISTIE to this document it saves time) 21 – 0
After a great passage of play from Dave and Josh, linking with straight strong running from Ben, Christie takes the ball into a tackle, goes to ground but is not held, then drives on and scores..
26 – 0
With Will Anderson back in the team the backs were moving the ball well. Will had a big hand in the next try. Ben got on the end of a fluid move off to the right and scored in the corner.
31 – 0
The next try came from Steve, great service from Elliot saw Steve in space. He turned on the gas and rounded two players to score in the corner. 36 – 0
At half time changes were made. Ben came off for Jamie, Elliot who had showed great control came off for Tom. Callum came into the front row with Josh being rested for next week. Reece came into the front row and Joe made his debut at inside centre. After the changes the boys took a little while to settle. Tabard who had showed good skill in the lineout were disrupting Hitchin’s ball, poor tap back ball to Tom saw Steve under pressure. Tabards scrum-half nipped in for a score as the ball rolled into our dead ball area. 36 - 5
Will J broke the deadlock in the second half with a scathing run up the left flank, he scored in the corner. Unfortunately Will J received knees in the back upon scoring and a punch-up looked imminent. Credit to the players and the referee, tempers were soon calmed.
41 – 5
Christie rounded off a great performance with a run up the right touchline; he rode numerous tackles and reached out for the score. Duane had made a great tackle on the Tabard 10 in order to gain possession, and Reggie had a damaging run up the middle. 46 – 5
The final try was one to savour. Good hands along the line from Joe and Will Anderson, linking with Dan, who gave a workmanlike performance. Will J cut back inside and sprinted for the line. That man Christie kicks the conversion, final score 53 – 5
Points of note for me were the great leadership of Garry along with his support play. Great hooking from Callum and the tackling of Duane. Jamie once again showed that the step-up in age group holds no problem for him. Dave showed great pace and Robbie who filled in on the wing had some great runs. A start in the back row for him next week.

Man of the match was Christie, well done

Next week Luton away, Josh will captain the side. Thanks to the Mum’s and Dad’s for their support. It was good to see the bar full after the game. Thanks to Tabard for a hard game played with a very good spirit.

Training Tuesday, looking forward to seeing Rory back in the side soon.