Happy New Year?!

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St Neot's away.

Game 1
St Neot’s 5 v 1 Hitchin
Squad (mixed) Aaron, Bradley, Daniel, Frazer, George, Jack, Sam C, Taylor, Toby, Tom.

A chilly, bright morning, despite the forecast. Hitchin again struggled to come to terms with St Neot’s strength (Kieran etc) and pace (Rhys), but did improve on the results from late October, when we last played. The hosts started badly, with many spilt passes (from the cold hands or New Year rustiness?). Hitchin pressed well to stop any real continuity, until Rhys (who else!) eventually went over, 1-0. Jack, bravely making his debut at prop due to the absence of several of the regulars, got the speedster with a fine tackle, but further missed ones led to another score, 2-0. The (St N) ref coached a little from his privileged position on the pitch (obviously forgetting himself) and Daniel harried the hosts constantly with good strength. By now, it was clear we were missing our big players, as St N were mauling us around the pitch. Tom got Rhys too and then made an excellent jinking break and Bradley put himself about well, just before half time.
Immediately after, obviously buoyed by the half time talk, Frazer was the only scorer of the day for Hitchin, as he pounced on a loose ball in goal, caused by good pressure. 2-1. George nearly followed him, but was pushed out near the flag. Kieran, the biggest of their squad, mauled several players along the pitch from ½ way to make it 3-1. We produced better interplay, but were guilty of not retrieving ball on the floor fast enough. Better rucking helped to retain possession and Bradley again chased their attackers, but feeble tackling allowed another player to burst through. 4-1. A final drive to our line made it 5-1 at the close.

Game 2
St Neot’s 3 v 0 Hitchin
Squad (mixed) Aless, Ashley, Connor, Max, Oliver M, Oliver P, Russell, Taylor, William

We had our only victory of the day in this match. We won the toss! In a similar fixture in October, we lost the 2nd game 8-0, so this was an improvement. The age old question did arise here- is it better to have an A and B team, with the best players in the A, or do you go for squad development and play 2 equally matched sides? Answers on a postcard to Tony, please!
After a good start, where we defended well, St N did again drive over, to go 1-0 up.
Hitchin started to ruck and maul well and Aless brought their big lad down. Max and William enjoyed weaving runs, but were unable to break through. Hitchin won a scrum securely, but sadly the ball again found itself in Rhys’ hands. End of…..2-0 at HT. (Thanks to Amanda for that part of the report).
More St N pressure was repelled, with Ollie P breaking away well (another debutant at prop, having moved across from hooker), then Taylor ran well, but had the ball ripped away by…Rhys! Ashley did dump him very well (would he lose it like he did at Hitchin and get Sin binned? No, not this time) but the hosts made it 3-0. Jack, on for Taylor, pirouetted well and Max and William went close, but it remained 3-0 at FT.

Game 3
St Neot’s 3 v 0 Hitchin.
1st half Game 1 squad, 2nd half, game 2 squad.

Déjà vu here, with another 3-0 loss. Aaron made a big tackle on Kieran and Daniel made a great run. Rhys again sped downfield in an arc to score against the run of play. Toby and Tom made good runs and George was spinning the ball out well and a maul on their line was held up. Rhys made it 2-0 with another breakaway. Aaron took the ball up field, following at a lineout, but we ended the half 2 down. The change of squad ensued, with St N keeping the majority of their smaller squad on the pitch.
Oliver P and William combined well to tackle big K and Jack made a big hit too.
Russell made a strong run, but then got injured and had to be replaced. A St N drive made it 3-0 and despite good running by Oliver M and Connor, we ended tryless again.
Player of the week went to Frazer, as he was the only try scorer, but huge commendation must go to Jack for propping at very short notice for the first time and Oliver P, who switched to prop from hooker. A special mention also to the Home coaches/refs, who were extremely fair in all aspects, even to the point of being harsh on themselves.
Lots for the coaches to iron out at Luton next week. Can we try to get all of the squad out, to ensure we have cover in all positions?