The Hedgehogs travelled to
Verulamians, looking to avenge their narrow home defeat from earlier in the
season.
A much changed side were met by arctic conditions,
and it was an early flurry of points that would ultimately settle a well
contested match. Despite gaining
territory early on, the hosts countered and exploited a sizeable gap in defence
for the Verulamians centre to go through for an early score. From the kick off the V’s Hooker earned good
yards through the middle, and more poor tackling resulted in the winger running
in the second try.
Hitchin were composed on the ball, taking advantage
of a high penalty count from the opposition, but were unable to make a decisive
break through a resilient defence. Two
further tries were scored by Verulamians before half-time, leaving the
scoreline at 22-0, and with all three subs already deployed due to injuries, it
was looking ominous for Hitchin.
Within two minutes of the start of the second half,
Hitchin were on the scoreboard.
Receiving the kick off, the ball was worked into the opponent’s half,
and quick thinking from Player Coach Adam Shaw down the blind side, followed by
a one-two pass from Scrum Half Will Evans, allowed Shaw to squeeze in at the
corner.
After resisting a Verulamians siege on the
Visitor’s line, Hitchin began to dominate the second half. A powerful pack were starting to take scrums
against the head, giving the backs a platform to put the opposition on the back
foot. From a clearance kick, Hooker Tom
Tidey expertly collected a clearance kick on the bounce and found himself
through on the full back, who made the tackle.
The backs exploited an overlap and Full Back Jack Peachey seemed to be
in the clear, but a last gasp tap tackle prevented the second try. Surging runs from skipper James Bolter and
Dale Baines were causing the opposition all sorts of problems. A series of scrummaging offences deep in
Verulamians territory resulted in a late Verulamians yellow card, but no
penalty try was forthcoming and Hitchin were unable to convert their advantage.
The match finished at 22-5, and both teams rushed
off to the relative warmth of the changing rooms. Hitchin could reflect on a strong second half
performance, which needed to be extended to the full 80 minutes.
Hitchin travel to third placed Welwyn on Saturday
for their last away match of the season.
Team William sale, Thomas Tidey, James Akrill, Thomas Spratt, James Bolter, Joshua Page, Lewis Pettinger, Dale Baines, William Evans, Ben Wiggins, Alistair Southward, Carwyn Morgan, Jon Whitby, Jack Powell, Jack Peachey
Subs Alex Wainwright, Jake Ware, Adam Shaw
Scores T: Adam Shaw (1)
Player(s) of Match 1. James Bolter
The league: London North West 3