Hitchin Colts 29 Westland Lions (Holland) 17

« Stevenage U16 0 v Hitchin U16 74 | Main | Letchworth Match Report »

Hitchin Colts had the pleasure of entertaining Westland Lions under 19 from Holland on Sunday with an unusual kick off time of 2.30pm.

With no shortage of numbers willing to play this friendly international Hitchin for once had an abundance of subs on the bench boosted by one or two friends from around the county.

The laid back Dutch soon changed in to a high tempo running rugby team as soon as the game started, with the Westland backs trying to find gaps in the Hitchin defence.

It was Hitchin who made the first attempt to score any points with a long-range penalty, which just failed to make the distance.

Soon after Hitchin’s forwards had their Dutch counterparts under pressure in their own 22 with Henry Robinson charging down an attempted clearance kick to score the first try of the game. David King converted 7 nil to the home team.

Within minutes Hitchin were again pressurising and again Henry Robinson charged down a kick to score another try. The kick was missed but Hitchin were 12 nil up.

The Westland backs were starting to up their game and scored with a well-worked move down the right. 12 - 5.

With half time fast approaching Henry Robinson again charged down another attempted kick, this time the ball stuck to his hands like glue and he popped over in the left corner for his hat trick. Kick was missed half time 17 - 5.

Hitchin made some changes at the break to ensure everyone got a game.

The pace did not let up in the second half and pressure from Hitchin forced errors in the Westland ranks with led to Sam Wilson picking up the ball and doing a summersault over the line to touch down under the posts. Pieter Frisch kicked the conversion 22 - 5.
We then had probably the best try of the game with forwards and backs linking up to score a well worked try in the right corner with Ziggy touching down. 29 - 5.

With such a hard and fast game things were starting to take their toll on both teams, Hitchin losing four with injuries.

Not giving up Westland ran in two late tries down the left wing to the delight of their fans but Hitchin held on for a final score of 29 - 17.

Much singing and drinking with indoor games followed after in the clubhouse.

Hitchin Colts are looking forwards to Easter when they will be playing in a tournament at the home of the Westland Lions in Holland.