Stevenage U16's 19 v Hitchin U16's 17

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I was looking forward to this game having been involved with the club for a little over a year and not yet played Stevenage. There was disappointment that we arrived with only 13 players, but this was soon quelled when Jack turned up

I was sure that 14 against 15 would be a good match, and it proved to be so. With no changing facilities, clubhouse or wall to change behind it was back to basics. Hitchin provided the match ball and the game began.

Rumours were that Stevenage had a handy fly-half and that became clear after the first 3 minutes, when he broke through to score a good try. The conversion was not taken and the score was 5 – 0.

After the kick-off we started to fight but were still not playing the kind of rugby we know we can. Again the Stevenage fly-half breaks through our line and gets caught under the posts, good support from his forwards leads to a try under the posts, this time they convert. 12 – 0.

Then the fight back begins. Hitchin are aware that they have been asleep for the first 30 minutes of the first half and start to play some rugby. The only cover on the blind side was Duane who buried his opposite number on a few occasions. Great work in the front row from Josh, Callum and Reese meant that we were back in the game. A lineout a few metres out saw Christie take a great ball from Dan, who was untouchable in the lineout. Christie drove, but the ball was under players so the try was not given. After some good play from Ben, who had moved into the centre, Hitchin were close to the Stevenage line. Christie linked with others and used his power to drive over for what should have been his second try. 12 – 5

At this point Hitchin were on top and a counter attack from Steve and Will J saw Jack cut through the defence like butter and score under the posts. Jack’s run was 50 metres and he broke 5 tackles, not with brute force but with a change of direction and quick feet. This score lifted the team. Conversion by Christie 12 – 12.

Good control at the back of the scrum from George and Elliot gave a strong platform, and Elliot’s kicking out of hand was spot on.

Hitchin lost Ben early in the second half for retaliation, which took our number down to 13, but the game came alive with some superb play from Steve and Will J linking with our new winger Jamie, who ran straight and impressed. Reggie found himself in the centre when Ben went and he had some great runs, twisting out of tackles using his pace.

Steve received the ball on the half way line and kicked ahead, he chased and kicked again. Using his outstanding pace he grounded the ball. The Hitchin supporters leapt in the air and the Stevenage supporter’s shoulders dropped. Then the referee announced that he did not see the grounding. Well, lets say no more !!!

After the disappointment of Steve’s disallowed try the lads again fought back. Then came the moment of the match. Josh received the ball on half way, he broke numerous tackles until he found himself 5 metres from the line. He pumped the legs and was soon joined by the rest of the pack, who drove over him. Duane then picked up and took a nice try. 12 – 17.

With only 2 minutes on the clock Stevenage came back fighting and scored a good try under the posts, out pacing our cover who were short on the ground at this stage. A great game of rugby. Final score 19 – 17.

Man of the match – Josh for great scrum work up against 3 different props, Callum for being everywhere, Steve for his control and pace, but mostly Will J. I have not seen the level of skill Will J displayed in a long time within this age group. He demonstrated this in his attacks, up the line, kicking-ahead and chasing. Great to watch!

Don’t forget we have them in the cup soon, looking forward to that one…