Sunday 6th January at St. Neots

« Hitchin 22 – Hemel Hempstead 22 | Main | U11s at St Neots - match report 6 January 2008 »

What a surprise….

After nearly three weeks off the players we really up for it. My thoughts were that it would be a nightmare; the players were still in that Christmas mode (lay in, late breakfast, telly, mince pie, chocolate etc…..) but they were obviously ready for a good run around. Eric was still in that mode as he pretended to be ill!

With St. Neots only able to field 12 players Hitchin once again came to the rescue providing Jack and Joseph to make up their numbers. They both did Hitchin proud and played with skill and determination we have become to expect from Hitchin players, well done!

Match report for the Lions curtsey of Jill:
Tigers: Alfie, Harry D, Harry L, Sam, Alex, Elliot W, Jordan.
Hitchin 12 - St Neots 8
This really was a game of two halves, with Hitchin dominating the first half and a spirited St Neots fight back in the second. It started with Hitchin winning a turnover, thanks to some great defensive work from Harry D and Elliot. Alfie received the ball and had a clear run to the try line to start things off. Elliot then picked up a loose ball and tore down the pitch to make it two for Hitchin, despite a determined chase from Joseph (who had kindly volunteered to make the numbers up for St Neots). More excellent tagging won another turnover, this time Harry L finishing things off with a strong run. His hat trick followed when he got the next two tries as a result of some brilliant passing sequences from the whole team. Just before half time, Elliot punished St Neots again by pouncing on another dropped ball by them to make it six nil at half time.
After the break, St Neots struck back with Joseph playing really well for them. A storming run from Elliot kept Hitchin's 6 try lead, but St Neots came back again. Harry L then scored again as a result of excellent support play and communication with Sam, who had got within inches of the try line. Alfie sidestepped his way through for his second of this game. St Neots grabbed three in a row with Joseph making a valuable contribution for them. However, Hitchin re organised themselves and thanks to a quick pass from Alex, Harry L got his fifth of the game, which was closely followed with another from Alfie. St Neots didn't give up and pulled the scores back to within three tries, but with the final play Harry D charged his way through to make it a dozen for Hitchin.
Tries - Harry D - 1, Harry L - 5, Alfie - 3, Elliot - 3

Hitchin 10 St Neots 9
A much closer game this time against St Neots B Team. Alfie got the first three and for those of us that watch him play, you will be able to guess how he scored them. Tries went with play and Harry L made it 4 after some more excellent team play between him, Sam and Alex. Jordan deserves a special mention as his tagging during this game was excellent. Alfie got two more with his team mates in support but he didn't need them as he finished off superbly. Yet again, Elliot, quick thinking as always, punished another dropped ball by grabbing it and blazing down the wing to score. A mention to Jack too for his great team play with St Neots, as he had also volunteered to help them out in this game. Elliot got another two, the first from a quick pass from Sam, the second from Jordan's quick thinking, picking up another loose ball and passing well. Just to finish things off, Harry L got the tenth try and although St Neots came back, it was enough to win us the match. All round team play, support and communication throughout won us this game. Well done.

Hitchin Tigers:

Pippa, Joe, Rees, Rhian, Ben S, Ben L, Jonathan, Niall,

St. Neots 11 Hitchin 9
Tries from Niall (1) Jonathan (3) Pippa (5) and Rhian (1)
St. Neots 12 Hitchin 9
Tries from Niall (1), Pippa (1) Rhian (7)
Apologies but we have missed a couple of try scorers. If you know who they are let us know.

In both games Hitchin played really well. The support play was excellent. Pippa in particular did well with the support play which was reflected in the number of tries scored in the first game. I thought Ben L played well and showed a lot of game sense with his passing which set up a number of tries from the “Mistry brothers”.
The first game at 11 each was a fair reflection of the game. Hitchin in the second half of the second game came alive, with some excellent tagging (Niall with his arms out wide shouting “try and get past me” must have been quite intimidating for the opposition – we will have to get him to demonstrate at our next training session!) and some excellent individual running.

This Sunday we are away at Luton, playing a triangular with Luton and Northampton Casuals. Please aim to be there for 10.00. Post code for the club is LU1 4BQ. Please do not mix this up with Stockwood Park Rugby club. Web site details are http://www.lutonrugby.com/ please contact me if you need help finding it. Aim to park in the extension to car park 1, as we are on the training pitches. It is recommended that you do not park on the grass verges as you are likely to get stuck in the mud and there is plenty of parking within the club.

Teams are as follows:
Lions: Alfie, Jordan, Harry D, Harry L, Sam, Elliot W, Alex, Joseph Wilkinson
Tigers: Jonathan, Ben S, Pippa, Ben L, Jack, Iago, Joe Wilkinson, Rees

A number of players have been left out this week. This is because we do not want to take too many and would rather that we took players and played them than they stood around on the touch line. We feel that this is a better situation and appreciate that Sundays are special and this is the best solution all round.
If for any reason you cannot make it let me know.

Just a reminder about the Leap Year Ball on the 29th February. We are planning a table, please talk with Jon (Jordan’s Dad) if you are interested.

See you Sunday
Simon