U12's at St Neots

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A visit to the freezing fenland outpost of St Neots saw us improve on the 2007 result (Won one, Lost one) and return to Hitchin with the bragging rights.
All good stuff, and having blown the cobwebs away we can look forward to the challenge of Luton and Northampton next Sunday.

St Neots proved themselves a good bunch of blokes, and one rather talented young lady, with a hospitable clubhouse supplying proper coffee, admirable baps and very fine hot chips.

Their well balanced pack demonstrated how dangerous good line out drill can be, with excellent knowledge of their calls and regularly making ground. We were under pressure in the scrums but came back strongly. The games also demonstrated how the gap has narrowed in terms of skill, technique and attitude between our two squads of players. Those members of the development squad who played in the second match really hit their straps and the likes of Reece, Mitchell and Matthew are showing the benefits of a commitment to playing and training.

Hitchin v St Neots Drew 14- 14
(Tries: James A., Euan. Conv: George x 2)
1st Half

Hitchin kicked off, with James A. starting his follow up run to get to the ball from almost our try line. The method worked and after making the first tackle James and Hannah combined to rip the ball clear from the maul, allowing James to barge over for an early score, which George converted. The early scrums saw us losing ball on our put in, but good tackling in the backs by Hannah, Charlie and Mitchell broke down the St Neots attack. Invariably we were stronger at the rucks with George clearing up loose ball to allow Joe R-G and Euan to set off on strong runs.

By now St Neots were winning a stream of scrummage ball well, their fly half using the short side to gain ground. Ashley was once again putting in the tackles despite a nasty stud mark to his hand which saw him substituted at half time. Ultimately St Neots made the pressure tell and whilst the ball secured was by Hitchin our poor handling allowed the opposition to penalize our errors by leveling the score. Were it not for Hitchin giving away penalties in strong positions, one for a high tackle, and another for handling in the ruck, we could have been in the lead at half time.

2nd Half

Hitchin received the kick off, George feeding Reece on the charge, with Peter, William and Byrony putting together a great early surge. The ball was recycled via James C. down the line to Euan who demonstrated his great New Year form by outflanking the defence to score, with George again converting. From the restart Joe R-G drove forward but handling mistakes were becoming rife, and the slow donkey drop passing allowed St Neots to close us down and prevent any real attacking moves. By now the front row were getting the measure of the larger St Neots pack, the best way to learn the secret arts being in a game situation – so well done to William, Peter and Bryony (how will we cope next year when she moves on). Even so St Neots ended the game with their dander up and once again it was our handling errors that allowed them, via the short throw at the front of the lineout to gain a deserved try, which when converted leveled the scores.

A fair result but evidently our errors gave away the position from which St Neots scored.

Hitchin v St Neots Won 24 – 21
(Tries: James A., Charlie and Euan x 2. Conv: George x 2)
1st Half

With St Neots kicking off, George took the high ball, offloaded to James A. who after a strong run passed to Euan who in electric eel mode hugged the touchline to give Hitchin an early lead. Inevitably the St Neots pack started to perform, one telling point being that unless we put the nudge on a maul where we have taken the ball in, the opposition will get the put in at the next scrum. Their pack was holding us and the scrummage was on an even par with Mathew and Erik (with a K) joining the old warrior, William, in the front row. A couple of nasty collapsed scrums showed a need for technique and strength to be worked on.

St Neots were now kicking ahead to gain ground and it was great to see a Page (son of the local wine merchant) in full flight, Joe running the ball back and holding on waiting for support to arrive. Similarly, Henry showed a cool head when isolated to maintain a grip on the ball, and not just fling it away in hope. The next try came from James A. being a solo effort marked with aggressive and direct running – so much of our good play comes from being direct and getting in the face of the opposition. Euan then demonstrated some manner of ancient Bedfordshire whirly gig running technique which was fascinating to watch, as indeed St Neots demonstrated, by letting him speed through their lines to touch down. Excellent tackling by George and Callum held St Neots at bay, although they did score to make it 19 -7 to Hitchin at half time.

2nd Half

A great half of entertaining rugby, with St Neots on top from the kick off, only a great tackle by Euan preventing an early score. Before long we once again gave away a soft try by flapping the ball instead of tightening up our game, to let them back into the contest. An opportunistic try by Charlie, superbly out sprinting the cover to score in the corner gave us some breathing space but still St Neots pressed. Our poor passing and slow interchange once more allowed St Neots to score and it was amid torrid defence that the ref’s whistle signaled the end of a half which St Neots shaded by 5 -14. However, the spirit was there for the Under 12’s to start 2008 with a fine win.

Player of the week: Euan

Plenty to work on – see you at training Wednesday 6.30pm and at Luton on Sunday 10am.