Old Verulamians 15 – Hitchin 27

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Despite several forced changes caused by absence and injury Hitchin put in a confident performance in defeating an experienced OV’s side that relied on a heavier pack to try and batter the visitors into submission.

The Hedgehogs played a much modified attacking line with erstwhile back row stalwart Barnett at fly-half distributing ball from the breakdowns and the robust Dale Baines delivering cannon like precision kicking from the inside centre position.

Hitchin began strongly, using quick possession from scrum half Morgan to allow Baines to commit both OV’s centres to pulling him down; he floated the ball out of the tackle to Hawtin who accelerated into the widening chasm to put Martin away under the posts for an unconverted try.

The pattern of play continued with Baines providing excellent defensive and positional kicking. Further work in the backs allowed Bull to beat several covering tackles to score Hitchin’s second try. While feeling well on top Hitchin were left smarting at two disallowed trys when Martin was judged to have been dropped in grounding and when Johnson went over the line and grounded the ball only to be deprived of the points by an efficiently (and rather late) placed hand.

As the half proceeded OV’s began to compete more effectively and hit back with a penalty. However, Hitchin responded immediately with a bulldozing break through the centre by Baines who scored and converted the try to wipe out the OV’s score and leave the Hedgehogs 3 – 17 up at halftime.

The second half opened with a much tighter phase of play, with the OV’s pack repeatedly picking and driving over the breakdowns and around the fringes. Loose defence from Hitchin allowed the home side to gain significant territorial advantage and required some heroic last ditched defence to prevent a score. Hitchin regained the initiative and began to pressure the OV’s defence but first blood of the half went to the home side when their fly-half intercepted a poor pass to dash half the length of the pitch. Keevans covering the width and length of the pitch forced the player out wide and made a last ditch covering tackle but just failed to prevent the ball being grounded in the corner. (8 – 17)

Hitchin tightened their defence around the breakdown and worked some good inside plays between Baines, Barnett, Brooker and Benucci, allowing the latter to break clear of the pack and power through to score an unconverted try under the posts (8 – 22). The home side continued to play the same direct game and forced the Hedgehogs back onto there line, eventually breaking down the defence to score a converted try to the right of the visitors posts. (15 – 22)

Hitchin regained there composure and used the previously successful pattern of play to make a series of scything of attacks out wide. Sadly these failed to deliver points as they failed to complete final passes on several occasions. These mistakes allowed OV’s to stay in touch but finally the pressure showed and Hawtin, again assisted by Baines sprinted over for a final converted try under the posts; final score 15 – 27.
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