Hitchin U12s 42 - 21 Stockwood Park U12s

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Whilst we had anticipated a trip to Leighton Buzzard they called off at short notice, being concerned we might get mud on our kit. Three cheers then for Stockwood Park who invited us over to Luton for a morning of wind, freezing rain and much good entertainment and banter. It also looked like they had a few giants of their own, so perhaps it was as well that they were short handed.

Hitchin –v- Stockwood Park Won 42 – 21
(Tries: Euan (3), Henry, Mitchell, Bryony. Cons: Harry (4), Charlie, George)

A good turn out of 17 Hitchin players, and with the Park missing a few, meant that we ultimately took on a mixed Stockwood Park/Hitchin team – nothing like taking lumps out of your mates to add edge to the contest. With Park also having spare shirts, the extra layer was welcomed by the “traitors” as William proceeded to call them all morning.

First half

With the wind and rain blowing down the pitch we opted to play with the elements and soon had Park on their heels. The pack was warming to the task and the front row union of Peter, William and Bryony had the nudge on the larger Park pack and were taking a stream of ball against the head. Whilst out of position at scrum half, Harry was delivering clean ball (you know what I mean) to Henry who in opting for the direct approach in running head on at the opposition gained great ground and as a result his confidence grew as the match went on. With Mitchell and Bobby showing great skill in clinging on to the greasy ball our backs belied the conditions and looked strong.

Early tries by Henry and Euan, who’s blistering pace on the swampy pitch was a feature of the day, saw the Coach (that’s Andy) swop around the “traitors” and this certainly enhanced the competition. With James and Adrian now to the fore in the Park forward effort, particularly in the loose saw them gaining ground. The first time tackling needed to come in to stop the Park pack getting into their stride, and it was Ashley who was conspicuously getting stuck in and going for the legs – an effort that probably saw him as the pack’s man of the match.

The half ended with Mitchell out sprinting the cover to score in the corner, Harry having again made the initial break.

Second half

A much closer affair with George now back in the Hitchin fold and relishing the chance to get involved, and warm himself up in the process. The scrums were still dominant but the greater upper body strength of the Park forwards saw them ripping the ball clear to score a couple of well deserved tries. Gargantuan wrestling matches between Bryony and James demonstrated an unwillingness to give an inch, and Bobby again showed a growing appetite for driving forward and setting the ball back.

By this time the rain had stopped so this gave Hitchin respite from the driving rain and led to Euan adding a third try by outflanking the whole Park three quarter line.
Not to be outdone the pack drove up field, with Ashley and Reece recycling the ball to allow Bryony to drive over from a metre out.

All the tries were converted by Harry, Charlie or George.

In the bar afterwards it was great to see the team stick together and have a good laugh and a joke – good omens for the Tour. Reece and Adrian had a sausage eating contest, Henry got his round in (of Mars Bars), whilst William and Harry tricked George into drinking that well known cocktail of coca cola, mud and chocolate.

Player of the week: Everyone did extremely well in wet, cold conditions and maintained their discipline well after a nasty bit of foul play by Park which was uncharacteristic of an otherwise good natured match. In the end Harry just edged it for some excellent passing in the un-familiar position of scrum half.

No mid-week training until 2nd Jan. Final training session before Christmas is next Sunday, 16th Dec.

Enjoy the break and let’s look forward to the away leg against St Neots early in the New Year.