Hitchin enjoy their second victory over Verulamians in two weeks.

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After defeating them on 16h March to secure their place in the Herts President Trophy this Sunday Hitchin looked to repeat the performance. Verulamians were bolstered by the return of their Captain at scrum half.

The first half saw Hitchin encamped in the home side’s half going against the wind. However they failed to turn the territory into points. Persistent pressure resulted in 3 points from a penalty converted by Man of the Match Simon Beadel and Verulamians down to 14 men for 10mins. Hitchin, hungry to score a try ran three kickable penalties. Unfortunately the storming runs by Richard Stidolph and fellow front row Joff Lord failed to break the home side’s defence.

The Hitchin backs showed they were also hungry to cross the try line,
with Simon Beadel running from his own 22 and making his way deep into the Verulamians half. Unfortunately the last pass failed to go to hand and the opportunity to score missed.

Half time saw the visitors 3 - 0 up and with the wind in their favour. However Verulamians came back with the bit between their teeth, desperate to secure a victory to aid their relegation battle. The home side kept the play in tight with their pack grinding away at the Hitchin defence and their inside centre crashing it up the field. The Hitchin defence held and eventually forced an error to turned over the ball. With the ball in the backs Hitchin looked dangerous with Mike Jones, Robert Willoughby and substitute Malcolm Fraser aggressive in the counter attack.

An attack out wide saw the visitors tear down to the Verulamians line, and tackled in the corner. Unfortunately Nick Panton and an enthusiastic opposition winger were sent to the bin to cool off following the ruck. Hitchin retained the ball and sucked in the Verulamians defence eventually firing it out wide for Robert Willoughby to score.

Hitchin revitalised after the score moved it up a gear and following a turn over on half way and some great rugby to keep the ball alive Chris Davies put himself on the score sheet.

With 10mins to go the hosts tried to get themselves on the scoreboard. Their pack disrupted the scrums and won their lineouts and made their way to the Hitchin 22. Hitchin certainly weren't going to give up their clean sheet, and lead by Jo Benucci showed true determination and kept Verulamians from crossing the line.

Hitchin look forward to the Herts President Trophy final on Sunday 6th Apr against Hemel Hempstead, from London four north. KO 12 noon. .

Other Scores

Hitchin 2 XV 27 - Old Albanians 3 XV 5
Royston Vets 7 - Hitchin 3XV 14
Hitchin 4 XV 10 – Bigglesawade Vets 29

Sunday: Hitchin U 17’s 38 - Stevenage U 17’s 5