Chiswick 40 v Hitchin 12

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Hitchin travelled to West London on Saturday to meet Herts/Middlesex 1 League leaders Chiswick with high hopes of providing an upset for the table toppers.

Despite the final score the Hedgehogs gave their opposition a strong contest and the score does not reflect the effect that the visitors had on the game.
From the kick off Hitchin started with strong intention and within minutes had a 5 metre line out which resulted in their loose head prop driving over from a maul and scoring a fine opening try which was converted by fly half Simon Beadel to put Hitchin 7 – 0 in front.
Chiswick were now stung in to action and a lineout in the visitors’ 22 resulted in quick passing and off-loading for the left wing to score an unconverted try in the corner. Further pressure by Chiswick forced Hitchin into conceding penalties from which one was converted for a goal to put the home side in front for the first time 8 – 7. The referee then sin binned the Chiswick no 7 for persistent infringement which gave the Hertfordshire side the impetus to make use of their numerical advantage. Unfortunately turnover ball in the home side’s half resulted in a breakaway try and Hitchin went in at the break 13 – 7 down.
From the kick off at the start of the 2nd half Hitchin drove the ball in their forwards up the field and were very close to the Chiswick line when another turnover resulted in a second breakaway try which went the full length of the field and when converted put the visitors further behind on 20 – 7.
Outstanding performances by skipper Carwyn Morgan playing at full back, Nick Panton, MIke Jones and Simon Beadel at fly half kept the game flowing and it was a great lineout steal by Panton which lead to a sweeping move by Hitchin. Jones making a swift break through the Chiswick defence to put winger James Larman in for an unconverted try and edge the Hedgehogs closer on 20 -12.
This was to be the Hedgehogs’ final score as playing “catch-up rugby” resulted in a spate of un-forced errors and turnovers which allowed Chiswick to score 20 unanswered points with three tries and a penalty goal. During this time Hitchin centre Vinnie Kevans was yellow carded for questioning the referee’s decisions and with all their replacements used up Beadel had to leave the field putting Hitchin down to 13 players for over five minutes. Despite this the Hitchin side finished the stronger when their fitness told and coach David Marshall’s post match team talk revolved around the game they had given the league leaders, who had now won the league with still 4 matches remaining, and reminded them of what could be possible with a County Cup match versus Barnet and League game against second placed Old Merchant Taylors both at home in the next two weeks.
Captain Carwyn Morgan was pleased with his side’s commitment and was confident, bearing in mind the injuries and unavailability’s that the future looks positive for the Hedgehogs.

Other scores:

Hitchin 2nds.`12 Poblenou Enginyers Barcelona 32

Hitchin 3rds. 8 Hertford 5ths. 30