HITCHIN RUGBY UNDER 14S LOSE GALLANTLY IN COUNTY FINAL

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Hitchin Rugby Under 14 squad won through to the County Plate Final, which was staged against Hemel Hempstead last Sunday, after beating Datchworth, Harpenden and Hertford earlier this year but, despite a heroic struggle, narrowly lost 14-7.

Hitchin got off to a really bright and energetic start and applied some good pressure within the forwards, notably in the loose play which caused Hemel to give away penalties to withstand the onslaught. From the second of those penalties, taken quickly by Adam Cooper, the inspirational number 8 forward Callum Taylor charged forward to make at least 25m deep into the Hemel defence. The rest of the forwards were there quickly in support, the ball was recycled immediately to give Player of the Season Callum McRobbie excellent possession at fly half and he cut beautifully inside and ghosted past 2 or 3 players to score just beside the Hemel posts. Tom Jeffries converted the try to give Hitchin a very early and deserved 7:0 lead.

Hemel immediately came back with real gusto and applied significant pressure, particularly in the forwards, making good use of their sizeable pack to pick up and drive and set up good quick ruck ball. Slowly but surely they managed to work Hitchin back down into their own 22, without really surrendering any possession at all. It was a great example of very positive and dynamic play, keeping the energy and tempo relentlessly applied to win a scrum on our 5m line. It was no real surprise then that their big number 8 picked up from the back of the scrum and barged his way over for their opening score. It was converted well for the first half to conclude on 7:7.

The second half started with immense Hemel pressure as they took the game by the scruff of the neck and drove Hitchin back, again picking and driving from the back of rucks. Their sheer physicality and positive play was enough to get them a second score and conversion to make the score 7:14.

Hitchin Under 14s started to get a grip on the scrum and the lineout and the defence at times was exceptional but they just couldn’t find the last piece of inspiration to unlock the Hemel defence and the game ended with a Hemel win.

Hitchin Rugby Under 14s have produced consistently good rugby all season and they fully deserved to get to their County Final. During the season they have won 14 of their 20 matches and scored 420 points with only 200 against, performing very well in the Hertfordshire/Middlesex League 2. The town rugby club is really proud of the way they played and conducted themselves.