Excalibur! U10’s play 2 and win 2. Scores are 8-0 and 9-0!

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Camelot (Hemel Hempstead) U10’s go home empty handed.

“Oh what a beautiful morning”. An interesting song, but sadly not apt today. ‘Sheeting rain’ was how I think someone described it! My note pad soon became soggy, despite the noble attempt by Colin Moon, still sporting a tan from his NZ/Aus honeymoon, to hold my WASPS umbrella above me (That must have hurt, Colin!) so patchy reporting today. Hemel Hempstead, HH curiously named Camelot came to Hitchin Hedgehogs, with a new squad, as they had lost many players last year to other sports (mainly Chavball I believe), so a good day for Aitches HH v HH.

Game 1
Hitchin Hedgehogs A 8 v 0 Hemel Hempstead (won)

Squad -Ashley, Connor, Daniel, Frazer, George, Max, Ollie D, Ollie M, Ollie P, Taylor, Tom.

Frazer 4, Ollie P, Daniel, Tom, Max 1 each.

A one sided affair and a “tag” type score line, with Hitchin playing extremely well into a howling wet gale. The visitors had some big players (“we ARE small” noted Tim Bonnet as he tried to stop his dogs being blown to Ickleford -Clifford or Pickleworm in spell-check!!!!) but they could not cope with our running, as we ran riot. Frazer was the main beneficiary, with 4 in total, 2 in each half. Daniel, Taylor and Tom tackled like demons and Ashley, Frazer, Max and Ollie P were cutting their defence to shreds. Colin M hanging on to the brolly, offered advice on the weather “ atrochus” was the spelling! Tony, now enjoying our best start to a game for months, said “It’s all down to team selection” . Tom got a nice try as George broke well off a scrum, in a planned move. The team were playing as a team. With good handling despite the ATROCIOUS conditions. Frazer got his 4th with a long mazy run and is there is a small criticism of the team today, they still do not pass as fluently as they should, waiting until it is desperate. The forward play was much improved, with no scrums or mauls lost and good foraging for the ball. In real “money” the score would be 56-0 (if my maths is right and all conversions were made.)

Game 2
Hitchin B 9 v 0 HH (won)

Squad- Aaron, Aless, Andrew, Ben, Bradley, Jack, Maitiu, Sam C, Sam J, Toby.

Ben 3, Maitiu 2, Aaron, Aless, Toby, Andrew 1 each

An even better score form the B’s (63- 0. Had to use the calc. there. Should have gone to William Ransom. Good X tables going on there, I hear) The best bits of this game were 1/. The development of the newcomers, Maitiu, Sam’s C and J, 2/. The try scoring by Toby and Andrew, not players who trouble the scorer too often and 3/. The immense running of Big Ben. Since Ben W’s departure to football, we have stopped calling him “Big”, but that’s what his play is. Being ultra critical, he does still need to look for the pass more, as on this occasion he was able to burst through, but stronger teams might not let him go so far. I was starting to feel like Mary Poppins, with my brolly nearly lifting me up. This match went very much like the first, with 4 tries in the first half. Maitui showed great strength for his (1st ever ?) try. Aless did very well to stand the player up and go all the way for hers. After the break, Tom shivering by my side says “It’s turned out nice” as the sun briefly shone. Aaron stole the ball brilliantly and let Ben charge down the wing. Sam J also showed good determination. Jack returned to the fray, after leaving with a bad leg scrape and started to influence the game well. Maitui got a second and Ben caused havoc every time he ran. Bradley ran with determination, but 3 cheers for Toby and Andrew who finished things off brilliantly. These guys turn up every week and do great things, often not getting on the score sheet. Well done! Tony picked the whole squad as “players of the week”, but special mention is made of Andrew, Toby, Maitiu, Ben and Frazer.
An early finish. HH probably had had enough and the weather was still grim. We retire to the club house, hoping that Sam Owen of the U12’s next door is OK, having had the ambulance called for a suspected broken leg. Next week, the As will travel to Leighton Buzzard, and the Bs to Stockwood Park, details to follow.
The future may be bright and Maroon, but I'm afraid on Monday last week it was Yellow, as Wasps A beat Sarries A 42-15 at Old A's. A great night out (£5/£2.50) regardless of the result. Tomorrow it's S v Bath, with Chris Jack expected to make an appearance.