Hitchin U16 43 v Harrow U16 7

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HITCHIN 43 – HARROW 7

A perfect day for rugby presented Hitchin with the opportunity to secure a place in the league. Harrow arrived early and appeared up for the game.

The game was played on the first team pitch which thawed out just in time. From the whistle Harrow attacked and Hitchin were soon in their own 22 with a scrum to clear the lines. Hitchin managed to keep a very determined Harrow team out in the first 5 minutes. Hitchin win a scrum against the head and George picks up and drives at the Harrow 10. Hand in the ruck sees Hitchin get a penalty kick.

From a good lineout Reece takes a straight line drawing in two Harrow tacklers, quick ruck ball is won and Elliot makes another 30 metres with a great box kick into the corner. After another scrum against the head the forwards take the ball up. Christie hits the line at pace and throws a dummy, which is bought by the defence. Christie glides over for his first try.
5 – 0

Harrow come back with some good phases of play and attack up the left, the Harrow 10 has an overlap of two players but kicks ahead giving us possession, after hands in the ruck again Will J clears with a 40 metre touch finder.

By now Hitchin are content in the scrum and lineout and Daniel is dominant in the air. Hitchin get a scrum 10 metres out from their line and again George carries the ball into the Harrow backs. Josh hits the line with strength and off-loads. Will J makes a darting run up the left flank and passes to Dave who turns on the gas and scores. The crowd don’t believe what the have seen, a perfect passage of play.
Christie gets the conversion.
12 – 0

It is clear that Harrow have strength in the maul. On numerous occasions Hitchin take the ball in and it is ripped or held up. Hitchin are not working the ball to the back of the maul quickly enough.

A crooked feed at the scrum gives Hitchin a free kick. Quick thinking from Elliot and Daniel, linking with Gary and Duane sees Will J in space. He burns past the defenders and cuts back towards the posts. The Harrow 15 tackles Will J who sends a perfect pass to Steve who scores under the posts. Converted by Christie.
19 – 0

From the restart Ben finds space and turns on his pace, he makes good ground but his support don’t get to him in time. Ben is penalised for holding onto the ball, but it is the support that are to blame.

Harrow win lineout ball and Duane bursts through the line, he takes the ball and runs over the Harrow 9, Duane gives a good pass to Daniel who in turn puts Christie in for his second try, great link play from Daniel. Converted by Christie.
26 – 0

After the restart some great work from the forwards sees the backs working the ball to the left. Will Anderson floats a great pass that puts David into space, he powers through some tackles to again score under the posts. A great display of back play! Converted by Christie.
33 – 0

Half time and Hitchin are dominating every phase of play. The second half is slow to get going but it is that man Daniel who links with Dave again. Dave screams up the touch line and passes inside when caught. It’s the points machine Christie on the end of the pass and scores a good team try.
38 – 0

Ben makes a cutting run into the Harrow defence. Reggie playing his favoured position of open side shows great fitness in being first to all the breakdowns. He showed great hands in getting the ball out to Will Anderson who picks the ball off his laces. He glides towards the try line looking for a gap, then puts on the after burners and scores a good try from 30 metres out. Well done Will.
43 – 0

Fresh legs are brought on, Tom for Elliot, who controlled the game with great maturity. Callum for Joe, who goes into the centre and Reece comes off. Again, Reece fitting in at centre had a strong game. Robbie comes onto the wing for Ben. Ben gets better every game.

Then the run of the game. Josh receives the ball on his 22 and bursts through numerous tackles. He makes 60 metres in all and the crowd are shocked at his pace and power. Daniel had set Josh up with a great two-handed take above his head from the restart.

Hitchin then begin to take the foot off the gas and start to cruise. The ball is going through the hands well, but Hitchin are not injecting pace going forward. Harrow come back into the game with their strong forwards and drive through the middle of Hitchin for their consolation try.
43 – 7

The game has a few minutes left and the players that came on show some class. Tom gives some great passes from the base of the ruck and Robbie makes a strong covering tackle. Callum as always gives the selection committee another sleepless night by coming on and playing well.

Josh is replaced by Reece due to injury and Ben comes on for Will Anderson who feels a hamstring twitch. Reece immediately upsets the Harrow front row. Too much garlic again Reece…

Final score 43 – 7. Man of the match was Daniel for his great link work and restarts. He ruled the lineout and showed an ability to read the game. Intelligent play!

Thank you to all the Hitchin supporters and mums and dads.

Training Tuesday, Good work Lads