Hitchin 16 Old Actonians 11

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Hitchin entertained London Club Old Actonians in a re-arranged match on Saturday and struggled to stamp their authority in a must-win game.

Fielding a number of changes from previous weeks due to unavailability’s and injuries as well as having a weary “Taff” Thomas playing his fifth game in seven days. Taff had played for the RAF Under 23s v. Irish Students the night before.

The match started at a brisk pace with the Hedgehogs continuing their game plan from previous weeks. Within minutes, after soaking up the pressure in their 22, turning over the visitors’ ball and then sweeping majestically up field offloading quickly in the tackle and providing winger Simon Beadel with the space and speed to cut inside the cover defence to score a well worked try which was converted by Thomas to give Hitchin a 7 – 0 lead.

From the resulting kick off the home forwards took a clean catch and drove deep into Actonians’ territory where the visitors conceded a penalty which Thomas converted into 3 points to put the Hedgehogs further ahead.

Then Hitchin did an “England”, took their feet of the pedal, and proceeded to let the London side back into the game. The home side gave away too much possession with silly mis-directed kicks, turned over too much ball in contact and put in too may weak tackles to allow Actonians to score two penalty goals and a try to end the first half 11 – 10 in front.

Coach Dave Marshall’s half time team talk managed to stop the rot and the second half was less error strewn but the Hitchin side now had to contend with a more confident opposition who thought they could sneak a win. Hitchin proceeded to grind out what was a well deserved win by getting into position where fly half Mick “Magic” Jones kicked a well worked drop goal and full back Thomas converted a late penalty to see the Hedgehogs win 16 – 11.

They are now firmly established 3rd in the league and are aware of what they have to do if they want to win promotion. The team management group of Captain Carwyn Morgan, Head Coach Dave Marshall and Assistant coach Joe Duignam now needs to work on cutting out the errors and preparing their team for the drive to promotion which ends in mid-April.

Other results:

Hitchin “B”s 47 Royston 2nds. 7
Hitchin 4ths. 7 Ruislip 3rds. 48
Hitchin Colts 10 Dunstablians Colts 27
Hitchin Ladies 5 Tabard Ladies 15