Old Merchant Taylors 28 Hitchin 26

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After conceding 14 points in the first 20 mins to some rumbling Old Merchant Taylors’ forwards play. Hitchin responded to the challenge they had given them selves by upping the tempo of the game.

The increase in speed showed its effect when prop Joff Lord’s unexpected dummy broke the line and put Stewart Roberts in space. Unfortunately Roberts was brought down just before the line. From the resulting ruck Graham King sprung over to score to put Hitchin 14-7 down at half time. Hitchin’s expansive game continued into the second half, where after continued pressure Vinnie Kevans scored out wide to level the score.
OMT rallied round and responded with more rumbling forward play creating overlaps out wide. The overlaps weren’t capitalised on due Hitchin’s Captain Carwyn Morgan making a try saving interception, to put fellow Welshman Mick “Magic” Jones in the corner to score. Magic narrowly missed his first conversion of the day to put Hitchin 5 points ahead. OMT response was to kick for territory and roll over a maul from 5 meters out. The OMT conversion land on the crossbar and just bounced over to put the home side in front by 2.
Hitchin increased the tempo again bringing on debutant colt Tim Frost on to the wing. Multiple quick penalties resulted in Vinnie Kevans crashing into the post, and over the line to score his second of the day. Unfortunately Hitchin’s lead was short lived; when in last minutes of the game another OMT rumble produce a mismatch of pace between OMT backs and Hitchin’s forwards.
An enjoyable game but the wrong result for Hitchin. This loss means a lot of hard work for Hitchin to achieve their promotion ambitions this season.