The Battle of Stevenage

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Some tough games for the A team! B's win with plenty to spare.

Games were switched to an alternative site ( Thomas Alleyne’s) , due to heavy rain at the usual ground. The rain stayed off for the most part, and the players, fresh from a heavy round of present unwrapping , Turkey gobbling and PS/XBOX gaming, set forth in 2007 with vigour.

Stevenage B 0 v 8 Hitchin B
Squad- Aaron, Ben W, George, Jacob, Josh, Lilian, Philip, Russell, Taylor, Toby, William J

Ben (“Dash”)Whitehead, lived up to his name, with a great run ¾ of the pitch, after picking up a loose ball near the Hitchin line. Jacob was driving, Taylor was ripping, Aaron was tackling and William J went close but was bundled into touch near the line. Jacob and Taylor also scored, to make it 0-3 at HT. The appearance of an enormous boy raised a few eyebrows, but he was not as effective as his size suggested. Josh bustled in for a try then Ben, showing his old thirst for pace and finding space, got another, 0-5. Aaron got the next 2 with aggressive running, following great vision by William J to find the unmarked player. Chris Whitehead made a tellingly ironic comment saying “Using the width of the pitch” (It was very narrow) Jacob finished things off, 0-8 “Awesome” said Tony.

Stevenage A 0 v 0 Hitchin A (Match Abandoned).

Squad –Aless, Ashley, Ben S, Daniel, Frazer, Jack, Oliver M, Oliver P, Tom.

A tough battle this one! Jack showed great hands to nearly get one of his team in for a try, but despite good pressure, it was 0-0 at HT. Colin was reffing in his usual fair and calm manner, but an increasing discontent from the vociferous Stevenage coaches, regarding high tackles, was becoming an issue. A theatrical pacing of 7 metres, was a great touch. It ended on a bad note, as the game was abandoned, close to full time.

Stevenage B 3 v 6 Hitchin B

The Bs kept up their high scoring victories, with a 3-6 win. Colin reffed again (a marked point there, I hope) I have to confess to missing this one, as I was watching the U11’s. Andy Smith took down the scorers as Ben W 3 ( 5 today), Jacob 2 (4 today) and Taylor 1.

Stevenage A 1 v 1 Hitchin A

A real grudge match this one after the shenanigans of the 1st match. Good reffing by the Stevenage coach, to be fair, with a Stevenage score making it 1-0 at HT, after good driving. Aless was showing the way to go, with exemplary forward play. A big tackle and pile up lead to Tony asking “Who’s that under there?!”(expecting an injury). “It’s alright, it’s Ashley.” (He’s obviously use to being scragged by his older brother). Much Hitchin pressure, but no score and it looked like we might lose. But at the death, Daniel squeezes over (on the final whistle) to draw it, 1-1. Relief to the Hitchin faithful.

Tony awarded Man of the Match to….Colin, for his excellent reffing and dealings . Players of the week –A’s, Aless for immense smother tackling and high quality forward play.
B’s –Russell. Gritty determination defies his size.