Finsbury Park visited Old Hale Way for a top of the table clash, which was always going to test the Hedgehogs, with just the one point separating the sides. With both sides averaging @ 30 points per match, it was the defences that held the day, with just one try for each team, as Hitchin ran out winners by 13- 8 to take a four-point lead over the opposition
The difference between the sides was probably the Hitchin pack, who dominated most of the set pieces, with excellent scrummaging often pushing back their opponents by10 m or more; a credit to the coaching team.
Finsbury Park kicked off and Hitchin immediately took the ball into the visitors’ half. A penalty to Hitchin 5m out resulted in James Bolter going over a try which was disallowed as the referee was unsighted.
The pressure continued from Hitchin, resulting in several penalties against the visitors but Hitchin couldn’t capitalise on the possession until Ben Wiggins put one over the posts for 3-0 lead.
The pressure told again a few minutes later when Hitchin were awarded a penalty try for a collapsed maul.
Hitchin continued their attack on the Finsbury line but could not break through, despite the visitors being down to 13 for a period, due to two yellow cards
After the break Ben Wiggins extended the Hitchin lead to 13 – 0 with a penalty but the visitors hit back with a well worked try, which went unconverted. Both sides were keen to get the upper hand, and Hitchin were stretched at times to stop the dangerous Park backs.
After 44 minutes, and with just seconds to go, Hitchin were penalised in front of their posts, allowing Park to slot the penalty and obtain a losing bonus point
Coach Adam Shaw was pleased with what he described as an ”ugly win”
To read The Comet newspaper's article on the game and to view more photographs, click here
Team Sean McGinnity, Thomas Tidey, James Bolter, Jonathan Welsford, Matthew Trussell, Ryan Arbon,
Ruiri Shanahan, Armel Baufume, Daniel Wiggins, Ben Wiggins, Rory Blackburn, Jonathan Whitby, Carwyn Morgan, William Rooney, Alistair Southward
Subs Pierre De Rancourt, Stuart West, Chris Martin
Scores P: Ben Wiggins (1)
Player(s) of Match 1. Ryan Arbon
The league: Herts/Middlesex 1