Hitchin 20 v Verulamians 0

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Hitchin secure their place in the Herts. Presidents Trophy Final after beating Verulamians
Sunday’s cold and wet weather were not the conditions for champagne rugby. However no one told Hitchin

From the kick off Hitchin were focused and enthusiastic. They defended well and cleared their lines taking them into the Verulamians half. Solid scrumaging and lineouts provided a good platform for the Hitchin back line, who linked up well with the pack to recycle the ball and continue forward. The movement was too much for the visitors and after 5 minutes a penalty was awarded 5m out. A tap penalty saw Sean Mc Ginnity crash through the Verulamians defence to score.
The kick off was received well and the boot of Rob Vivian saw Hitchin back in the opposition half, more pressure from the Hitchin pack in the set piece saw Hitchin secure the ball 30 metres out. Wide plays from the Hitchin backs and support from the Hitchin forwards saw second row James Drury linking up in the back line to be held up just over the line.
Camped in the Verulamians’ 22, Hitchin pressurised and produced a turnover. Close forwards’ play brought Hitchin to the visitors’ line and the continued pressure saw Joff Lord crash through a gap to score.
Hitchin continued to defend well with superb tackling from the back line especially Vinnie Kevans. Verulamians failed to penetrate the Hitchin defence with their strong runners and soon found themselves back in their own half. A line out on the their 5 meter line saw Sean Mc Ginnity attacking the short side of the line out and secure his second try of the day. Play continued to half time with Hitchin leading 15-0.
In the second half Veralaniums came back with determination and made ground into Hitchin territory. Once again the Hitchin defence was superb. With Man of the Match Carwyn Morgan marshalling his pack in defence Verulamians could not break through. The continued pressure started to take its toll and Nick Panton found himself in the Sin Bin. Verulamians failed to make the extra man count and were held out by the Hitchin defence.
James Larman at full back received kicks well and attacked from deep linking up with wingers Beadel and Richard Dowson-Park. Unfortunately the conditions started to hinder the handling and hamper these attacks.
The visitors continued to pressure Hitchin and made the way to the Hedgehogs 22. full back and running the length of the pitch Barry Jardine cross the line to score on his debut.
Hitchin came back in the last ten minutes with good forward work. The Hitchin pack gained momentum in a maul and drove it 20 metres up the pitch. A break from the Hitchin skipper down the blind saw Morgan with not quite enough room as he just stepped into touch. Verulamians cleared the lines to provide Aidan Barnett the opportunity to entertain the crowd with his lineout calls. The following scrum Hitchin cleared the ball off the park, heralding the full time whistle and Hitchin’s place in the final.