Hertford "B" 10 - Hitchin 24 (League Game)

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For the second week running Hitchin overcame atrocious weather conditions to

secure victory. This time Hertford were put to the sword in the league.
Things started badly when Hitchin only had 14 players five minutes before kick off but were fortunate enough to start with a full 15!!!

In the first half Hitchin played against the wind & with the driving rain in

their faces too a deserved lead with a try from Max C. Breaking through their pack, Max literally had three or four of their players hanging on to him to crash over and score. Unfortunately, Andrew M was unable to convert,

however, it only just fell short and it was aganst the force 8 gale conditions. Hertford came back strongly from this but stirling defending by

Hitchin kept them back from our try line. Near the end of the half Hertford

broke through and scored but did not convert.

Half Time 5 - 5.

With the wind at our backs in the second half Hitchin took the opportunity to put the game to bed. Good handling by the backs enabled Steven M to though & under the posts with Andrew M making sure of the conversion. 12 -
5 to Hitchin. At this point Hertford lost their discipline and their loosehead was sin binned for swearing at big Trev. This goes to show boys that swearing on the pitch is not acceptable and referees will deal with it.

Hitchin took this one man advantage and scored a superb try when Andrew M kicked on a loose ball and then was able to gather and score directly under the posts. Making no mistake with the conversion Hitchin went into a 19 - 5

lead. Hertford now back up to the full 15 players pressurised the Hitchin try line to score their second after being camped in the five metre area for

ages. They failed to convert. 19 - 10 to Hitchin.

With a little help from the coaching staff (i.e. telling Hitchin that there were 90 seconds left & needing one more try for a bonus point) Hitchin piled

on the pressure and Steven M was again able to break through from half way and go over to score. Andrew was unlucky with the conversion. This was the

last play of the game and Hitchin ran out 24 - 10 winners.

Overall this was a great performance in bad conditions. Handling improved over the previous week and getting he ball down the line to the backs has vastly improved. Scrummaging again was good but Hertford had a bigger pack.

I have checked the league table and we are now second behind Datchworth.
Well done boys and look forward to playing Fullerians "B" in the league next

Sunday.

Cheers

Simon, Pete & Chris