"We're Winning In The Rain, Just Winning In The Rain............"

« U8's at Stockwood Park | Main | Stockwood Park Match Report »

U10's enjoy second weekend of wins in filthy weather.

Just when most of us thought that last weekend was probably the worst weather that we'd have this season we encountered even worse this weekend - and this was after setting off from Hitchin in sunshine too ! Fortunately despite the weather we were able to play two games today as Bedford also came along to give us a game.
Similar to David last week I too had to cope with a rather soggy notepad so apologies if I've got anything wrong in the reports (particularily the first game). Thanks also to Steve and Barry for additional reporting !!

Game 1
Stockwood Park 0 v 5 Hitchin Hedgehogs (won)

Team - Daniel, Ben, Frazer, Connor, Ashley, Aless, Taylor, George , Toby Subs - Aaron, Maitiu, Jack, William J, Bradley
Trys - Ben 3, George, Ashley

The game started scrappily mainly due to the driving rain that was now descending, with both sides fighting hard for possesion of the ball without actually being able to open the game out. Hitchin nevertheless were rucking and mauling with great effort and their hard work was rewarded when Ben went over for the first try. The second try was also the result of a great drive by George who looked like he only had one thing on his mind and that was to get the ball over the line which he duly did. Ashley finally found some space to run through for 3-0 and the fourth try came as a result of yet more persistance by Hitchin and a strong push by Ben for his second of the match. Hitchin's fifth came from Ben once again as a jinxing run to the tryline gave him his hatrick and an emphatic win for the Hedgehogs.

Game 2
Hitchin Hedgehogs 5 v 3 Bedford (won)
Team - Maitui, George, Ben, Toby, William J, Taylor, Aaron, Aless, Oliver Subs - Jack, Bradley, Connor, Frazer, Ashley, Daniel

As the rain finally decided to stop Hitchin started brightly with a good run from Taylor almost from the kick off. However despite this Bedford were able to benefit from a breakaway from the scum to go 1-0 up but Hitchin reacted by continuing in a similar fashion to the first game and were rewarded with an equalising try by Maitui following a strong drive. The game then opened up a bit and a great run by William (despite initially giving Colin heart palpitations !) was following by an even better run by Oliver who went over for Hitchin's second. Bedford then equalised with what was possibly the best try of the day with the ball being passed all along the line and finally being put down in the corner. The second half started with a third try for Bedford as a consequence of some decidedly poor tackling by Hitchin but despite this the Hedgehogs continued to ask questions of Bedford in the scrum and after a particularily good one Frazer was able to set off on a jinxing run that ended in a try that brought the scores level. Hitchin continued to drive well and Frazer scored again to put Hitchin ahead. Soon after Ashley sped up the wing but this time in pursuit of an opponent and he managed to make not only a try saving tackle but also probably the tackle of the day. More impressive work by Maitui followed before Ashley once again made another great run (this time in attack) before being stopped by a Bedford player with what was probably the second best tackle of the day. Hitchin continued with the strong tackling and good rucking and handling that they had been doing all morning before Jack sidestepped (!!) his opponent to put down Hitchin's fifth and final try of the day.

Yet another impressive day for the Hedgehogs with everybody working hard for each other and fully deserving the results that they got in both games. Because of this the whole squad has once again been named "player of the week".