Ealing U17 3 v Hitchin U17 10

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'They'll Need Some Healing in Ealing'

It was a bright sunny morning when the Hitchin Under 17s arrived at
the Traiilfinder Sports Centre for their top of the table clash against
league leaders Ealing.

Due to illness and injury Hitchin were only able to field the bare
fifteen; against a club who have over one hundred and fifty (150)
players registered at this age group.

If Hitchin were impressed by Ealing's fantastic facilities; manacured
pitch; imposing stands; and huge squad it didn't show. They
immediately imposed their blitz defence against the initially eager
Ealing attack. The back row of Robbie, 'Gorgeous' George and the
indomitable Duanne 'the Chiropractor' Brand rarely gave Ealing time to
breathe let alone free their swift backline.

On the occasions Ealing dared bring the ball up into contact they
were swiftly sent backwards by an uncompromising Hitchin backline. A
backline that easily matched Ealing for pace but were stronger in the
tackle and were always eager and willing to cover for each other.
Reggie as always led by example by tackling anything that moved. He
was superbly supported by the comparatively inexperienced Dave and
Luke. Two players who are growing by the game.

Having weathered the initial storm Hitchin began to impose their own
attacking game mid way through the first half. Clever kicking from
hand by both Stevie and Christie allowed our ever dependable line out
jumpers (Dan and Robbie) to win lots quality ball. This in turn allowed
Hitchin to gradually build pressure on the Ealing line and some
excellent rampaging work by the forwards led to Joe powering over for
the first try of the day. Joe looked like he was 'up for it' and would
take some stopping whenever the try line was in sight.

Urged on by their numerous managers, coaches and supporters Ealing
tried to build up a head of steam late into the fist half. Hitchin
held firm - with Will J often using his pace, power and fantastic
balance to run the ball clear - to go in five (5) points to the good at
half time.

Brian 'Mr Hitchin' Baines roused the lads at half-time by telling
them that they were playing their best rugby of the seaon so far. This
stirring speach was somewhat spoilt by an obnoxious smell emanating
from an unkown Hedgehog forward during the huddle. It is pure
speculation to blame this foul odour on a bad batch of Biltong in the
Brand household.

The second half started with Hitchin firmly on top. Tidy work by the
forwards at the breakdown allowed Elliot 'the Tank' Gibson to kick
cleverly for the corners. The tireless wings, Tom and Luke, chased
everything and everyone - making space and chances for both themselves
and others. Pressure again eventually led to another Hitchin score
with Joe again providing a clinical finish after 'Gorgeous' George,
Christie and Josh 'the Gazelle' Gilmartin had all made hard yards.

Being ten point adrift Ealing decided to roll the dice and bring on
some replacements. These fresh legs allowed them to push down in to
Hitchin territory. They also used their extensive bench to bring on
the heavy brigade to bolster their crumbling scrum.

Any tiring Hitchin players glancing to the touchline in the hope of
reinforcements would have only seen four of the Hitchin dads standing
on an increasingly strained wooden stand. At this point small children
were asked to move away from the danger area and the stand was heard to
cry out for help.

Further Ealing pressure was met by further unyielding defence. It
did though lead to several scrums in and around the Hitchin 22.
Ealings large and comparatively fresh forwards tried to take advantage
of these opportunities but met by a Hitchin pack who refuse to take a
backward step. The front five especially should take a bow for winning
ever single scrum of the day. Josh, Callum, Joe, Christie and Dan all
exemplified the spirit the courses through the whole of the Hitchin
U17s. They showed enormous heart throughout and put in huge physical
effort to quite literally squeeze the fight out of Ealing. This rock
solid scrum meant clean ball was the order of the day on Hitchin put
in. Whilst huge drives meant Ealings scrum half was usually scrambling
around in the dirt while being menaced by Tank in combination with
either Duanne or Robbie.

Hitchin held firm (apart from conceding three points from a disputed
penalty) during the seemingly never ending added time, to hold on for
another well deserved win. That makes seven wins from seven games so
far this season. Keep it up and Bainsy has said he will buy you all a
jug each at Christmas.(I think you were dreaming or senitly had crept in on your birthday Joe,
and when are you going to say you are coming on tour)

Coaches man of the match was Joe for his all round effort,
destructive running and refusal to let pain stop him playing.