St. Neots Match Report / Team News 13th Jan

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We reconvened on Sunday with a tough away fixture at St. Neots. Having already played them earlier in the season we expected a similar close match and this was the case. The two week break unfortunately did us no favours and we were slow to get going, but we improved as the morning went on which was good to see. We took two teams, mixed up the players and each team played two matches.

Hitchin Panthers v St. Neots: Lost 4-5

The Panthers started the match quickly as usual and established an early lead, but unfortunately this fell away in the second half. Early on we played some good attacking rugby and scored an excellent team try by Daniel, following a good run and pass from Milly. A fine individual score quickly followed from Ethan L, which extended our lead. St. Neots responded well and scored two tries themselves, but just before the break we created a good try for Connor after some excellent support play from Rory & Laurence so we went in at half time leading 3-2. The second half was unfortunately a different story as we struggled to get any attacking momentum and some little defensive lapses gifted a couple of scores to St. Neots. We did create an excellent team try for Alfie following some fine passing and support play by, Connor, Guy and Ethan L. However, with the score tied at 4-4 St. Neots broke away and scored an excellent try with the last move of the match to secure the victory.

Hitchin Jaguars v St. Neots: Lost 2-3

This was another close match and both teams played some good rugby. The first half was very tight with both teams creating a number of chances but just not converting them. We did create a fine try for Chris and during the half there was some good support play by Sam and Henry and some good passing and running by Harry and Ethan B. With the scores tied at 1-1 the second half continued to be close with both teams defending well and there was some excellent tagging by Dylan and Holly. Chris scored another good try, this time after a fine run from Naomh and we were unlucky not to score further tries with both Ethan B and Sam going close. Eventually the Jaguars were undone like the Panthers by a late St. Neots score, which settled the game.

Hitchin Panthers v St. Neots: Drew 3-3

This was a better all round performance by the Panthers in both attack and defence. The little errors from the previous game were erased and we started to play as we had before Christmas. Again we started the game well and scored two good tries in the first half. The first was a good individual try by Milly and the second was an excellent team try from Guy which was created by some fine passing and support play by Connor & Daniel. We also defended far better with some excellent tagging by Kai and restricted St. Neots to just one score. The second half was also close with both teams continuing to play well. St. Neots responded well with two quick tries, but we struck back with a well taken try for Milly following good running and passing by Ethan L and Rory. There then followed a period of play when both teams created chances but could just not finish them off, so the match was drawn.

Hitchin Jaguars v St. Neots: Drew 4-4

The Jaguars second game was also an improvement and they were unlucky not to secure a win. A fine first half by the Jaguars saw them open up a good 3-1 lead just before half time, with scores from Harry (2) and Ethan B. Both tries by Harry were fine individual scores following good runs, the second of which was created by an excellent pass from George. The try for Ethan B was a good team try with some fine passing and support play by Alfie and Chris. St. Neots hit back just before and after the break to level the scores at 3-3. The rest of the game was very tight with both teams attacking and defending very well. Ethan B scored an excellent individual try to put the Jaguars back in the lead, but St. Neots scored right at the end to level the match.

Tries: Ethan B (2), Connor, Harry (2), Ethan L, Milly (2), Chris (2), Daniel, Guy and Alfie

A slightly disappointing morning results wise, however all matches were close and with a bit of luck things may have turned out differently. I was very pleased with all the players efforts and commitment during the morning with everyone giving 100%. I think we could have done with a weeks training session to get back into things following the Christmas break, but in general it was a good run out to get the second half of the season started.

Congratulations goes to Harry Hughes who won the ‘Player of the Week’ award. Harry always shows plenty of effort and commitment both at training and in matches and is improving every week. He has performed well at a number of our fixtures but I was impressed with his all round play this week particularly in the second Jaguars game. He made a number of important tags, scored two fine individual tries in the second game and passed and supported well throughout the morning. Well done Harry.

Sunday 16th January

This Sunday we have an away fixture at Luton. This is a triangular fixture with Northampton Casuals, but the good news is we can take two teams. The teams have been selected as below, can all players be at Luton for 10.00am.

HITCHIN PANTHERS
Alex Baber-Norris, Ethan Brace, Connor Dudley, Rory Fookes, Sam Henshaw, Guy Honnywill, Milly Reece-Jones and Naomh Taylor.

HITCHIN JAGUARS
Joshua Clark, Dylan Crofton, Daniel Hill, Chris Holes, Harry Hughes, Ethan Lavaille, Jamie Naylor, Holly Pomfret and Henry Tucker.

Luton Rugby Club
www.lutonrugby.com
Directions
From M1: J10 towards Luton. At first roundabout after the Motorway turning, turn right along the A1081 to Harpenden. Take first right into Newlands Road and the clubhouse is 2 miles down on the left passed the turning to Slip End.
From Harpenden: Follow A1081 towards Luton. The approach to the final roundabout before the M1 (see map) is up an incline. At the bottom of the incline, turn left into Newlands Road and the clubhouse is 2 miles down on the left passed the turning to Slip End.
Through Luton Town Centre: Follow the signs to the M1 South (to London) and Harpenden, A1081. At the roundabout sign posting the M1, carry straight across towards Harpenden. Take first right into Newlands Road and the clubhouse is 2 miles down on the left passed the turning to Slip End.

Training

For those players not involved in the fixture at Luton, please note there is unfortunately no training at the club this week. Our next training session will be Sunday 23rd January.

See you on Sunday.

Regards

Andy Dudley
Hitchin U7’s Coach
07803 160382