All Very Pleasant in Cheshunt!

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Cheshunt 0 v Hitchin 31

Sunday saw the redoubtable Hitchin U17s travel to Cheshunt for a crucial league game. Before kick-off we were handily placed in third place, five points behind the leaders, Ealing, with this game being our ‘game in hand’. A bonus point win was therefore crucial if the lads were to keep alive their hopes of a first ever championship.
The significance of the game was not lost on the Hitchin coaches or the large travelling support. Nerves were evident all around with Amos ‘Biltong’ Brand shaking so much he couldn’t hold his camera straight. Team Manager Brian ‘Beer Baron’ Baines also ready to burst. The last time he was this nervous was when Linda caught him parking across two spaces in the club car park.
Thankfully the player’s seemed to have better control of any anxiety they felt. They took the field looking calm and purposeful. They knew they had a tough game ahead of them as Cheshunt are a strong team with a well drilled defence; having previously conceded a miserly 7 points at home all league season.
The first ten minutes confirmed that Cheshunt were not going to be a walkover. As expected they were well organised and well drilled. Hitchin though were not perturbed and went about their business in a professional manner. They new if they put in the hard work and made the hard yards the tries would eventually come.
As has been the case for most of the season the line out worked well with Dan ‘Safe Hands’ Scott winning clean ball on our throw and disrupting the oppositions efforts. This clean ball allowed our half back pairing of Elliot ‘the Tank’ Gibson and Super Stevie Hampton to slowly take control of the game. Moving the ball down the line when it was on and kicking for territory when under pressure.
Good pick and go rugby, by the pack, coupled with quick ruck ball led to our first try. Will ‘Haymaker’ Jay made an incisive run then popped the ball to Tom ‘Reggie’ Weller who stepped round the last defender to score in the corner. A quality try!
A great finish indeed but lets take a second to ‘tip our hats’ to players like Robbie ‘Toned’ Smith, Callum , Dan and Reggie who have been stealing balls at ruck time all season. Without their, often unseen, work the team wouldn’t have been half as successful this season.
Our scrum was - as always - awesome. Our massively powerful props allowed Crazy Legs Callum to do his thing. Hanging from the rock like shoulders of Josh ‘the Gazelle’ Gilmartin and ‘Big Bad’ Joe Lockyer he was able to strike at everything that moved – working his way so far into the opposition pack he was constant menace – winning numerous balls against the head. It was from turnover ball, at one scrum, that led to Hitchin second try on the stroke of half-time. The half backs worked well together to make space for the centres and wing. It looked for a second as if an overlap opportunity (involving Luke) had been missed but nice interplay between Will ‘Power’ Anderson and Dangerous Dave Nicholas allowed Will to crash over right under the posts.
The half-time break immediately followed allowing Brian the chance to remind the lads not to rest on their laurels and keep working. No doubt his words of encouragement ensured that the forwards would not be ‘walking’ in the second half. The second half-started as the first had ended with Hitchin going through the phases and heaping pressure on the dogged Cheshunt. More thrusting runs from the forwards punched holes in their defence with Joe and then Josh taking the ball well into Cheshunts 22. Christy ‘Crash Ball’ Caldwell carried the move onwards driving the ball towards the line and looked destined to score himself before being pick-pocketed by Duane ‘the Chiropractor’ Brand. A third unanswered try….hurrah!
This was quickly followed by the crucial fourth try when the now rampant Hitchin broke down the right. A clever kick through, by Ben, was chased down by two Hitchin players with Super Stevie Hampton getting the crucial touch. The all important fourth (bonus point) try had been scored and was the catalyst for much jubilation on the touchline.
To be fair to Cheshunt they never gave up the fight but the rest of the game proceeded without Hitchin ever seriously looking like conceding. Hitchin having tackled well all game with Christy, Reggie and Duane all notably making monster hits during the course of the game.
Bainsey’s grin got even bigger when a smart break by Dave (supported by Elliot ‘ the General’ Miller) eventually led to a fifth try by ?? this escapes me as I was looking after the gazelle.
At the final whistle everyone looked pleased with a job well done. All in all a very professional performance by a talented and hard working team. Any celebrations were quite muted as everyone knows the hard work is not over quite yet. The players certainly didn’t seem complacent in any way; just pleased with a good day at the office.
I don’t think it would be fair to pick a man of the match this week as everyone contributed to a great team result. For example, apart from those already mentioned, we saw Gorgeous George playing through the pain barrier; Luke looking safe under the high balls; Ben being tenacious as ever; and Tom ‘No Mercy’ Mercer seamlessly taking up the pivotal scrum half role in the latter stages.
Instead I would like to take the opportunity, of writing this match report, to thank and congratulate the coaching team - Jim ‘Sex Panther’ Panter, Amos Brand and Brian Baines – for building such a great side. I am sure all the parents will agree that their time and effort is much appreciated.

Match Report supplied by

Joe (Clarke Kent) Gilmartin

Finally a quick reminder of a date for your diary:-

Sunday 30th March is Super Sunday
Hitchin v St Evenage

Let’s get as many supporters down to the club as possible for the last league game of the season. Why not dig out an old claret coloured shirt, scarf, hat, rosette or even a 1950’s style rattle (remember those) and really get behind THE team in their last push for glory. John Caldwell has even promised to wear his Monks Robes on the day….something extra to look forward to.

View from the top:-
P W D L Diff Pts
1. Hitchin 6 5 0 1 113 25
2. Ealing 6 5 0 1 85 25
3. Grasshoppers 6 5 0 1 95 24

Please accept my apologies in advance if I missed anything or anyone. You all deserved a pat on the back.
Also any complaints about the nicknames used should be sent to chunky.lover51@nfi.com