Hitchin 15 v Fullerians 7

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Hitchin hosted this clash of the two lower sides in the London 4 North West league on a cold and windy day.

With both sides yet to record a win it was not surprising that the play was scrappy, as both sides sought to gain the initiative.

The visitors, with the considerable wind in their favour, did not take full advantage of the conditions, but were denied the lead by twice missing relatively easy penalties. Hitchin, for their part, struggled to come to terms with the wind and several promising passing movements broke down.

Hitchin had their chance to open the scoring with a lineout 5 metres out, but poor handling let Fullerenes off the hook. Five minutes before half time another promising position was lost when the referee reversed a penalty for Hitchin, with Joe Benucci receiving a yellow card.

Changing round for the second half with no score, Hitchin would have fancied their chances, but it was the visitors who opened the scoring with a converted try. Hitchin used the wind to take play to the visitors 22 area, but were unable to covert pressure into points, until a backs’ movement was infiltrated by Aidan Barnett who put Vinnie Kevans in for an unconverted try. to bring Hitchin within 2 points.

With the pack holding their own, and Nick Panton winning some good lineout ball, the home side started to believe in themselves, and Kevans soared again in the corner, following an excellent break by James Larman.

Now with their tails up, Hitchin took play again into the Fullerians' half, and a swift passing movement saw James Larman cross over in the corner for their third try. Jack Peachey’s conversion failed, but the final whistle followed to give Hitchin their first win of the season.

Other results on the day saw Hitchin rise to third from the bottom of the league table.

Coach David Marshall commented “this is looking like last year’s start to the season. If the players start to believe in themselves we can perhaps get the winning habit back again.”

Other results
:
Hitchin 3 XV 25 - Letchworth 3 XV 17

Datchworth 4 XV 29 - Hitchin 4 XV 10

Sunday
Hitchin Colts 57 - Crusaders Colts 0 [National cup]

Hitchin Ladies 0 - Hertford Ladies 10