Stevenage U16 0 v Hitchin U16 74

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Hitchin arrived at Stevenage prepared for a tough battle in this county cup match. A few weeks earlier Hitchin had travelled to Stevenage with only 13 players and had lost 19 - 17.

Here is the report for the Stevenage Game. Well 46 minutes of it anyway, it was called off at this point.

From the kick-off Hitchin knocked on and a scrum was awarded to Stevenage. With a strong front row of Gary, Josh and Joe, Hitchin attacked the first scrum and managed to turn over possession. Steve moved the ball wide and Ruairi straightened the line, giving Ben space down the right touch line. Ben used his pace to score in the corner.
0 - 5
From the kick-off Joe collects the ball and drives forward, Steve passes to Reece who cuts a great line. He produces a hand-off that Mike Tyson would be proud of and sets up a ruck. Ball is recycled and passed out to Will J who beats the defence and glides under the posts.
0 - 12 Christie getting the conversion.
From the restart Hitchin quickly win possession and win a penalty on the Stevenage 22 metre line. Christie kicks for touch but the ball falls short. Dave who is chasing the kick comes within inches of scoring. From a scrum George picks up the ball and drives forward. He brushes off 4 tacklers and scores a great number 8’s try, not bad for a prop !!
0 - 17 Conversion missed.
Joe takes the restart and feeds Christie on the burst. Quick ball through the hands from Duane and Daniel then out to the backs. Steve sends the ball wide. The Stevenage defence is rounded, the ball then comes back in field to Steve who turns on the speed and scores under the posts.
0 - 24 Christie gets conversion.
The next score comes from Ruairi who showed lightening speed to round the defence after a huge hand-off from Joe.
0 - 31 Conversion by Christie.
The next try came from great team play. Reggie took the ball from the kick-off and burst right, linking with his outside backs. The ball was then sent left along the line. Daniel throwing a wide pass for Will J to take at speed. Will J straightened the line making the Stevenage defence hold. Will J fed Joe who unselfishly passed to Dave who scored in the corner.
0 - 36 Conversion missed
After the restart Stevenage win possession. Reece who is playing against his old club rushes up in defence and smashes his opposite number. From the hit Hitchin turn the ball over and the ball is quickly moved out to Ben, who turns on the power and pace to score under the posts.
0 - 43 Christie scores conversion.
Hitchin win the ball from the restart and again the forwards win possession. Tom at scrum half sends out a great pass to Steve. Steve throws a wide pass to Ruairi, who again shows class in straightening the line passes to Ben who scores under the posts.
0 - 50 Ben drop kicks his own conversion.
After the restart is taken, Josh makes ground linking with Gary and Daniel. The ball is again sent wide and Ruairi turns on the afterburners to score under the posts.
0 - 57 Christie gets the conversion. Half Time.
The second half started with Hitchin playing up hill. Some good rucking from Stevenage saw them come back into the game. It was clear that the Stevenage players had been spoken to at half time.
Hitchin were keen throughout the match to get the ball wide to Dave on the left wing, knowing how dangerous he is with ball in had. Dave got the ball with little space to work in, he exploded up the left touch line. A Stevenage player managed to get hold of Dave’s shirt to hold him back. Dave managed to off-load and the slick handling from Andy and Elliot saw Ben go in for his forth try.
0 - 62
George receives the ball and makes a strong run, Dave hit’s the line at speed and makes 20 metres. The ball is taken into touch by the Stevenage defence and Hitchin win the lineout. Fluid hands from Tom and Elliot sees the ball recycled in the midfield. Robbie and Reggie, a very fast back row combination, recycle the ball. Joe who has been playing centre of late, hit’s the back line with the pace of a full back and scores a great try.
0 - 67
The next try came from Will J who showed some great pace. Again Ruairi had a big hand in the play.
0 - 74 Steve kicks a difficult kick for the conversion.
Man of the match. Very difficult to choose but three players deserve mention. Tom for his great service and control of the game. Reggie for his speed to the breakdown and when in defence his tackling. Ruairi I thought was superb in his play. He hit the line at pace, knew when to put players into space and straightened the line with maturity.

Man of the match Ruairi.

Well played lads.