U9's at Letchworth

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First Contact and first shield

No, they weren't ALIENS, but boy do they grow them big in some parts of North Herts!!

Hitchin U9s made their debut in contact rugby and the squad of 14 richly deserved their runners up position in the North Herts festival against some very BIG and powerful teams.

Two wins and two close defeats, scoring 15 and conceding 14, was enough to bring home the shield.

SQUAD Alex; Alfie; Ben L; Ben S; Daniel; Elliot; Harry D; Harry L; Iago; Jonathan; Jordan; Joseph; Niall; Rhian.

Game 1 Hitchin 30-15 Stevenage

Stevenage start and good tackling from Harry D and the forwards win balls for Hitchin. Joseph makes a super run over 2/3s of the pitch to score in the corner (5-0). Joseph injures his stomach in scoring and we are down to 8 at the restart which allows Stevenage to equalise (5-5). Unfortunately, Joseph is unable to continue and is replaced by Jordan. From the restart the ball is turned over a couple of times before Alex makes a great tackle to dislodge the ball which is picked up by Alfie who runs in for the try (10-5). From the restart Stevenage move quickly forward, but Hitchin hold them near the try line with great tackling from Harry L. Stevenage regroup and use their extra size to push over the try line, but the referee disallows the try for not releasing the ball. HT 10-5.

2nd half and Daniel comes on for Rhian. Great play from Harry L, out to Alex who passes to Niall to run away and score (15-5.) Hitchin immediately put Stevenage under pressure at the restart, with strong tackling. Harry L picks the ball up from the back of the ruck and breaks away to score (20-5.) Stevenage break from the restart to score (20-10.) Straight from the restart, Harry L to Alex who charges through the defence to score (25-10.) Alfie immediately flies into a tackle and with help from Jordan and Harry D Hitchin win the ball. The ball is passed out to Harry L who breaks from half-way to score in the corner (30-10.) With the game reaching it's conclusion Stevenage find one final try to makes the score at FT 30-15.

Game 2 Hitchin 20-30 Royston

From the start Royston immediately show their strength and power by stealing the ball and forcing Hitchin back. The first try comes quickly (0-5.) Again Royston win the ball in the loose and break away to score (0-10.) It seems Royston's size is affecting Hitchin and the tackles aren't there as in the first game. Eventually Harry L takes the lead and wins the ball in the tackle and darts away towards the corner and the try line. Unfortunately, three Royston players catch him just before the line and with no support he is forced into touch. The Royston lineout is quickly won and they break away to score (0-15.) From the restart Harry L again takes the lead and this time is not to be beaten, using his extra pace to score in the corner (5-15.)
With half time approaching Royston add to their score (5-20.)

Royston start the second half and good forward play is held up by Ben L. From the resultant scrum Hitchin attack the ball and quickly regain possession. Harry L is leading by example and runs down the line to score (10-20.) Royston immediately break from the start and force an attacking scrum from which they score (10-25.) Daniel comes on for Harry D. Harry L makes another great run and Roystons only way to stop him is to infringe. Hitchin use this advantage and the ball finds Harry L's hands who sidesteps in for his hat-trick (15-25.) Royston restart, but Hitchin are finding their game and strong tackling by Ben L holds them up. Hitchin manage to win the ball, but are quickly tackled. The loose ball is picked up by Royston who go over for another try (15-30.) Great tackling by Alfie wins the ball after more Royston pressure and the ball is released out to Elliot who goes in for his first and the match's final try (20-30.)

Game 3 Hitchin 10-15 Datchworth

Datchworth start, but strong tackling from Hitchin wins the ball. Ben S makes an excellent break to halfway, but loses the ball in the tackle. Datchworth win a scrum and only good tackling from Hitchin prevents a try after forcing Datchworth into touch. The lineout throw from Alex finds Jordan and he breaks through the Datchworth forwards and breaks away for an excellent try(5-0.) Datchworth restart and good pressure from Hitchin allows Harry D to secure the ball and run down the line only to be tackled into touch. Datchworth lineout is quickly won and after some strong forward play they take advantage to break away and score (5-5.) This is a tough encounter and Hitchin are quickly pushed back at the restart. Datchworth attack but are pushed into touch. From the lineout Jordan makes another marauding run only to be tackled into touch. HT 5-5.

Rhian replaces brother Niall for the second half, as do Harry L and Elliot for Daniel and Alfie. Hitchin start and Ben S makes a strong run but is penalised for handing off. From the free pass Datchworth break away to score (5-10.) Jonathan replaces the injured Ben S. Hitchin restart and a quick pass from Harry L to Alex allows him to hit the Datchworth defence at speed and with sufficient power to break through and run to the line - great try! (10-10.) This one is going to be close; Datchworth restart, but good tackling by Alex and Jordan secure the ball. The referee eventually awards Datchworth a scrum, which they quickly secure and break through a tiring Hitchin defence for what could be the vital score (10-15.) Hitchin restart and with time running out push forward. A Datchworth lineout is quickly won back with strong tackles by Alex and Alfie and just as we see a try coming Harry D is forced into touch and the referee blows the whistle. FT 10-15.

Game 4 Hitchin 15-10 Letchworth

Hitchin start and immediately give away a scrum to Letchworth. Strong tackling wins the ball back and a strong run by Jordan is stopped just short of the try line and Hitchin are bundled into touch. Hitchin are really on their game in this one against a really big team. Good tackling regains the ball and Hitchin make good ground. Letchworth win a lineout but from the breakdown Hitchin regain the ball and Jordan runs away to score (5-0.) Letchworth make ground from the restart, but are held up by great tackling from Harry D who forces a lineout for Hitchin. Hitchin catch the ball and pass to Harry L who frees Elliot to run 2/3 of the pitch to score (10-0.) From the restart Letchworth find their passes and break through the Hitchin defence to score (10-5.) And that's half-time.

Alex, Alfie, Rhian and Ben S replace the hardworking Ben L, Niall, Daniel and Iago at half-time. Letchworth start, but good tackling from Harry D and Alfie secure the ball for Hitchin. A knock on gives Letchworth the scrum, but immediately from open play Hitchin force Letchworth back and a pass out to Jordan allows him to run away to score (15-5.) Letchworth push straight from the restart and strong forward play allows them to reduce the deficit (15-10.) From then on it's all Hitchin without further scores. In the final play of the game Alex breaks forward and just as we think Harry D is going to double the lead he is forced into touch. But the whistle goes and the Hedgehogs end with a win in the local derby. FT 15-10.

Tries: Harry L (5); Jordan (3); Alex (2); Elliot (2); Alfie; Joseph; Niall


Coaches Comments

An excellent start to the season with lots of effort from all the boys. Our attacking play, and running, was excellent and when we spread the ball wide we caused problems for all teams including the eventual winners Royston.

The work we did with the scrum and the lineout paid dividends (thanks Simon) and we created a number of tries from our speed and execution here - well done to Alex (Hooker) and Harry L (scrum half) for your excellent communication at these set plays.

Defensively is where we'll need to work more in order to put opponents under pressure. We must move forward collectively and defend as a unit with everyone willing to put in the tackles. There were times when we stood off and allowed a couple of our team mates to make all the tackles and this put us under intense pressure, especially against the bigger teams.

In the tackle and especially in the maul situations we must get involved and be willing to rip the ball away from opponents - we'll work on this on Sunday.

Overall, a great start to the season and I can see already you are enjoying the transition to contact. Keep up your hard work and this will be another successful season - well done!

Player of the Week has been delayed until we secure a new trophy, but we do have a new award this season for the top tackler of the day;

This week's 'Tough Nut of the day' goes to Alex P for not only his endless running, but his ferocious tackling all over the pitch. Add to this two tries and great leadership this award was well deserved - Prize on Sunday - well done Alex!!

Training this Sunday - 10.15am at the club

Eric

Just a reminder, if you haven't let Sam know your details (and more to the point haven't paid) please get these to Sam on Sunday. Also if you are reading this on the web site and haven't had an email it means that I don't have one for you. Please let me have one.
Can you let me know your availability for this Sunday and the following Sunday. We are at home training this weekend but the following weekend Datchworth are due to visit. Hopefully we can put 2 sides out and give the new ones their first games.
Simon