Hitchin u16 29 v Biggleswade U16 17

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Hitchin were very keen to see off a good season with a win. Talk before the match was based on how we can improve for next season and this match against strong opposition would be a good start.

Hitchin started well and put pressure on Biggleswade from the kick off. Slowly Hitchin edged towards the try line but with strong tackling Biggleswade kept Hitchin out. Hitchin won a penalty 30 yards from the line. Christie took the touch finder and a great lineout take from Daniel put Christie through a gap. From the ruck Tank moved the ball wide. The ball was then recycled again and Christie scored with a strong run.
5 - 0
After the re-start some great work from Garry, Jo and Andy in the pack saw Hitchin again threaten the Biggleswade line. Raurie playing at inside centre looked composed and made strong runs. Reggie was tackling like three players in one. After a strong scrum George picked up and took the ball left, making great ground. Steve saw the space and used great pace to round the defence and score in the right hand corner.
10 - 0
Callum was hitting his jumpers in the lineout every time and the scrums were getting stronger with every hit, Reece was causing all sorts of problems for his opponent. The next Hitchin try came from a period of scrappy play. Some handling errors meant that the ref played advantage to both sides, then a kick through from Hitchin gave Will Jay a opportunity to pounce. He picked up the ball on a half bounce and burned towards the line, he was caught with 5 yards to go but had the power to drive through and score
15 - 0
At half time Garry and the team knew that Biggleswade would come back at them, they were too good a side to roll over. The hard ground was taking it’s toll on the Hitchin players but all were keen to up the effort level.
Biggleswade scored a good try from strong running, their big winger heavily involved.
15 - 5
Shortly after the Biggleswade try Hitchin worked some great moves, Jo and George running straight and hard, with Daniel and the rest of the pack putting in the hard unseen work. Hitchin are awarded a free kick in the right hand corner and Steve goes quickly, he is hit short within the 10 metre line. Steve and his tackler exchange pleasantries and it is Steve that takes a 10 minute rest.
Josh is on for Reece, Reece having played well at prop. Josh is straight into the game hitting tackles and running straight. Some more great runs from George off the back of the scrum sees Hitchin at the Biggleswade line. Christie takes the ball on and Reggie is on hand to make a full 6 inches and score. Reggie wishes it was more than 6 inches but don’t we all !!
22- 5 Christie gets conversion.
Biggleswade then come back and score two try’s, the first while Hitchin are down a player. One was a great cross field kick picked up with inches to spare.
22 - 17
Dave on one wing and Robbie on the other (and out of position) both get chances. Robbie comes within a whisker of a try in the left corner. Steve is back on and the team start to settle. Raurie has a great solo run on his birthday up the centre of the pitch, he is supported by the whole team. Jo is rested for Jake who gets stuck in straight away. Hitchin build their last score with great composure. A penalty kick to the corner a great take and Hitchin drive to the line. Hitchin get held short and win a scrum. George picks and makes ground. The second phase runner is Christie and he powers over for the try.
29 - 17
A good display of rugby from Biggleswade was soured slightly by constant back chat to the referee. Handling errors from Hitchin put pay to a more convincing score line, but with a few weeks break it was good to see the structure working well.

Elliot ( TANK) played very well leading the forwards and feeding the backs. Steve showed why he is player of the season with a controlled game. Raurie played well out of position and Reggie hit everything that moved. Christie showed class. Callum was solid and his work ethic was top.

But man of the match was George. After a strong game for his school on Wednesday it was good to see that he saved his best for HITCHIN U16’s.

Good buy U16's hello U17’s Now you can all have a rest, pass those exams and I’ll see you all in JUNE

Jim