Hands off!
Hitchin recorded
their 4th bonus point win of the season , defeating Saracens Amateurs on
a wet and windy day at Old Hale Way, to stay in 3rd place in the league
In
conditions that made the game difficult for both teams, Hitchin found
themselves 3 points down after four minutes, being penalised for holding on.
In fact it
took ten minutes before Hitchin were able to work their way into the Saracens
half, but the Hitchin pack were increasingly dominant over their opponents, and
two penalties against Saracens saw Hitchin press to within ten metres of the
Saracens line ,but the defence held out.
15 minutes
later the Hitchin pack scored a push over try with Dale Baines touching down,
the conversion being missed.
However, 5 minutes later a loose pass form Hitchin
allowed Saracens to strike back with a converted try
Hitchin got
within 2 points of their opponents , as Ben Wiggins converted a penalty for a
high tackle
Just before
the halftime the forwards’ work was rewarded as Baines touched down again for a pushover try which Wiggins converted to take
a 15- 10 lead
Early in the
second half a quickly taken penalty was kicked through, the Saracens fullback
failing to gather for Baines to pick up and cross for an unconverted
try, and personal hat trick
The hone side’s
pack continued to dominate the set
pieces, especially the scrum , but the conditions
made it difficult for the backs to take full advantage
Ten minutes
from time, following a period of pressure in the Saracens 22 James Bolter went
over for the 4th a try, which
understandably in the conditions went unconverted.
Next
Saturday Hitchin are at home to Cuffley RFC in the Hers Junior Vase
Team Sean McGinnity, Tom Tidey, James Bolter, Ryan Arbon, Nick Panton, Ruiri Shanahan, Albert Aldridge, Dale Baines, Daniel Wiggins, Ben Wiggins, William Rooney, Jon Whitby, Harry Cartwright, Adam Shaw, Alistair Southward
Subs James Akrill, Carwyn Morgan, Iain Charnley
Scores T: Dale Baines (3), James Bolter (1)
C: Ben Wiggins (1)
P: Ben Wiggins (1)
Player(s) of Match 1. Sean McGinnity, 2. Tom Tidey, 3. Ryan Arbon, 4. James Bolter, 5. James Akrill, 6. Nick Panton, 7. Iain Charnley
The league: Herts/Middlesex 1