The Beautiful Game, Played on a Beautiful Pitch, on a Beautiful Day!

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Almost enough to make you want to become a poet!

Hitchin Lions 8 Ampthill First Team 6
A lovely morning in picturesque surroundings at Ampthill. Hitchin started the game off and went ahead with a strong, straight run from Sam who with a swivel of the hips put the ball across the line. Ampthill equalised despite some good defensive work from the whole team. Alfie added to our score following another fine run from Sam. More strong defensive work giving us a turnover ball, lead to the very fair Ampthill referee awarding us a penalty try when Harry D was pushed over the side line by an enthusiastic Ampthill player - no malice intended. A short period of mistakes from both teams followed but Hitchin were first to re gain their concentration and another fine display of team play was finished off by Elliot who side stepped his way to the try line to give Hitchin a 4 -1 lead at half time.Ampthill came back after the break and scored but Elliot who supported Rhian well, grabbed another try for Hitchin. Tries then went with play for a while, with Harry L getting his first of the game after Alex had made ground and space for him. A noteworthy mention here for Harry L and Sam , who organised themselves brilliantly to avoid being offside and keeping possession for Hitchin. This lead to Alfie receiving the ball who finished off in his usual style, side stepping his way through Ampthil's defence. A final strong individual try from Sam made it a great eight for Hitchin.
Comments from those watching - "a great display of rugby", "BRILLIANT TEAM WORK - THEY REALLY WORK WELL TOGETHER".
Well done

Try scorers
Harry L -1
Sam - 2
Alfie - 2
Elliot - 2
Penalty try - 1 - should be credited to Harry D.

Game 2 - Hitchin Lions 8 - Ampthill Hoops 3

No time to relax after the first game, the players grabbed a drink and some oranges and started again. The Hoops went ahead but Elliot sped down the wing leaving everyone else behind to equalise. Great defensive work from Hitchin gave us a turnover ball and Harry D headed off to the corner flag to score. There was obviously something at that particular corner flag, because Harry L, who had been in a perfect supporting position behind Rhian also headed there to score again for Hitchin. As play restarted, Harry L swept around the pitch then stormed off to the same point to score twice more. A 5 - 1 lead at half time showed how well Hitchin had defended, getting tags and keeping Ampthill in their own half. Amphill scored immediately after the restart with a fine try from a strong player. Some good passing from Alex, Sam and Elliot and finally to Harry L, who headed for that same corner again kept us 4 ahead. Another individual run by Sam made it seven for Hitchin and a strong run from Harry D almost finished the game off, he was unlucky to stray into touch with the last play of the game just inches from the try line.

Again, another great display of team work, it was nice to see all the players passing the ball well and supporting each other. Well Done!

Try Scorers
Elliot - 1
Harry D - 2
Sam - 1
Harry L - 4

TIGERS 5 v 6 Ampthill 'B'

A very close fought game between the Tigers team and Ampthill 'B' swung both ways and either team could have won in the end. Ampthill scored from the off despite 3 very good tags by the Tigers. From the restart a darting run by Niall brought the scores even. Ampthill made a quick reply, but again straight from the start Niall ran in for his second. Just before half-time Ampthill retake the lead, but with the final play of the half a great team try ends with Joseph scoring in the corner.
The second half starts with Hitchin's ball and the free pass goes to Elliot who runs straight through the Ampthill defence to score his very first try for Hitchin - well done. Unfortunately Ampthill even the game up almost straight away despite good tags from Hitchin. The next few plays see good defensive tags by both teams, especially Jack and Rees for the Tigers.
A good team try by Ampthill, despite 5 good tags from the Tigers, results in them taking the lead. Good running and passing by Pippa and Ben S see the Tigers almost cross the line, but unfortunately a foot in touch turns the ball over. Not to be outdone, tags by Ben L and Iago force Ampthill into touch - Hitchin's ball. Good team passing see's the ball come out to Niall who weaves through the Ampthill defence to score his first hat-trick for Hitchin. Unfortunately the final play of the game sees Ampthill break away from the Hitchin defence to score a good team try and take the win - excellent performance Tigers!

TIGERS 4 v 8 Ampthill 'A'

Up against Ampthill's top team the Tigers put in an excellent team performance and were only undone by a very fast and strong running team. Everyone contributed and the Tigers were slightly hindered by injuries to two team members. The match was all about attack and both teams ran strongly and wanted to score tries. Ampthill took the lead, but were quickly pulled back with a darting run by Niall. Ampthill again took the lead, but a strong run by Ben Stephens saw him score a Captain's try to cap a very good leadership performance. Yet again Ampthill break the Tiger's defence to score, followed by another to take a two try lead. Playing his best game so far for Hitchin, Joseph then takes over to score two tries, either side of another Ampthill score. The first was a weaving run and the second was a good team try finished with some excellent side steps and a burst of pace. At 4-5 the Tigers are in with a chance, but perhaps tiredness and the 'shock' of being so close to a very good team let's them down and Ampthill quickly run in three more tries. All credit to the Tigers though and they don't give up and with the final play it takes six good tags by Ampthill to stop a very good run by Hitchin right on the try line.

Final game Hitchin Lions 5 V Hitchin Tigers 6.

In all the excitement of the last game Eric called this match a draw. It was later revealed that this was a mistake!!!

Both teams were expecting to play another game against Ampthill after this and it may be fair to say that neither team seemed to be concentrating on this one....
Tries went with play until the Tigers grabbed three in a row.
Try scorers for Lions Tigers
Alfie 1 Ben L 1
Sam 1 Pippa - 1
Harry L - 3 Ben S 1
Iago - 1
Niall - 2

Coach's Comments

Very well done to both the LIONS and TIGERS; you put up very good performances against a strong Ampthill club and I, and the rest of the coaches, are very proud of you.

The LIONS performed excellently against both Ampthill teams, ably coached by Chris. The running and support play was as good as you've delivered this season and this bodes well for upcoming fixtures. The 'DEFENCE' was strong with everyone knowing their positions and being ready to grab those tags as soon as Ampthill attacked, turning the ball over on numerous occasions. Chris, and I were particularly pleased with the leadership, not only from the captain; Elliot who led by example, but the many vice-captains who contributed vocally. The 'ARROWHEAD' attack formation was also followed and this allowed you to SPREAD PLAY and score a number of tries by pulling holes in the Ampthill's defence - well done. The only area we need to look at is BUNCHING at the free pass as you all can tend to get in each other's way causing yourselves to be OFFSIDE. You must remember to get behind our player with the ball, in an ONSIDE position, and then support him. He just needs to remember to RUN FORWARD and not behind his own players. Overall very well done and you all performed to a very high standard.

This was the first time the TIGERS had played together as a team, and I really didn't need to worry as you gelled well together and did Hitchin proud. The FORWARD RUNNING and SIDE STEPS were first class and the efforts to GET THE TAGS were also impressive and prevented a number of possible tries. You remembered your 'DEFENCE' positions and on most occasions were set up and ready for an attack - keep it up. When we have the FREE PASS always listen to your coach, who will tell you who will take the pass and who will run. The only areas we need to work on are SUPPORTING our player with the ball and QUICK PASSES to the NEAREST Hitchin player when you are tagged. Overall an excellent performance with lots of effort - capped by beating the LIONS 6 -5;

I really am very proud of ALL your performances - you were a credit to Hitchin U8s.

A final thank you to Charles who coached the TIGERS today, stepping in at the last minute due to an injury to our Team Manager (and Professional Ref!) Simon who hurt his knee last week - GET WELL SOON!!

See you all for training Sunday - 10.15 am please

Eric

Many thanks to Jill for the Hitchin Lions reports and Caroline for the Tigers reports. Please check out the gallery over the next few days, as Mark has taken some fantastic photos which show some real grit and determination (some of them are quiet scary as well!) If you can't find the gallery let me know and I will send you the link.

Next week is training, can you please let me know if you are not attending (I know that there are various Remembrance day ceremonies going on) as we would like an estimate of the numbers so training can be planned accordingly. We are at home to Cambridge the following week(18th Nov). I am planning on working on the following basis: If you were picked for last week at Ampthill we are assuming you are available for the 18th. Jordan and Jonathan are also assumed to be attending. That just leaves Joshua M, Joe W and Louis C to confirm. Please let me know if you cannot attend

See you on Sunday

Simon