Hitchin 22 – Hemel Hempstead 22

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After their 5-5 draw in their pre-Christmas league fixture, Hitchin and Hemel battled to a thrilling 22-22 draw in the Herts Youth Cup, with Hitchin going through having scored last in the game.

Hitchin began well, chasing down the initial kick off to put Hemel under pressure and after a fiercely competitive 5 minutes scoring the opening try. From the half way Connor W made break and despite being talked on the 22 managed to battle to the Hemel 5 where Ben ripped the ball to dive over. He then converted his own score for a 7-0 lead. Hemel to their credit battled back and score in the corner to take the score to 7-5.

Hitchin battled gamely for the rest of the half, although hampering themselves by committing too many bodies at the ruck and then leaving the ball at the front where fierce Hemel pressure caused a number of turnovers. Unfortunately towards the end of the first half, Jem who was having a solid game at Scrum-half left the field with a groin strain to be replaced by Connor W. Almost immediately, the Wing David O received the ball in space and beating his opposite number went over in the corner for a 12-5 half-time lead.

Down to 14 men (16th player present Sam being in civvies having ‘kicked a door’), Hitchin battled against a refreshed Hemel team, with Brendan moving between pack and Centres. Hemel made good use of their extra man to score in the corner and then whilst Second-row Michael was being treated for a bleeding nose forcing a forwards try over in corner after several line-outs to take the score to 12-15. Hemel then attempted to finish off the team when one of the few missed tackled let Hemel in for a converted try and a 12-22 lead with less than 10 minutes left.

Hitchin galvanised themselves at this point, the pack had been improving consistently throughout the half and were gaining the ascendency at the scrum partly through getting the ball out quicker and partly through better levels of fitness. From two quickly recycled balls Hitchin set up attack that brought tries firstly from Connor and finally just before the whistle from Ben. Unfortunately both conversion were from the 5m side mark and Ben was just wide both times, much to the relief of the Hemel Coaches.

With the final result 22-22, the rules were consulted and after tries and conversions were considered it came down to who scored the final points of the match.

A very good match showing that the work on fitness was worthwhile and with the added bonus of the Backs improved play.

Hitchin now face either Welwyn or Old Albanian ‘B’ in the next round on February 17th at home.

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Many thanks

Mike