Men 2XV 31 v 19 Chess Valley RFC 2XV - Away League on 6 Sep 2025

Hitchin 2XV entered a brave new era in the RFU leagues, in the unfamiliar territory of Croxley Green. The modestly sized car park prevented the first obstacle of the day, but come 3PM newly appointed 2XV coach Phill Ryan had his charges ready for a hard fought contest.

Hitchin made the worst possible start. Receiving the kick off, Chess Valley won the ball on the second phase, and a missed tackle allowed their number 8 to run through to score in the corner.

The hosts had come racing out of the gates, and a poorly fielded kick gave them a scrum 10 metres from the Hitchin line. The referee correctly observed a double movement in an attempt to score a try, and the ensuing penalty was kicked to touch to relieve pressure. 

Some solid Hitchin defence frustrated and forced errors from Chess Valley, and this proved the platform for an improved performance for the remainder of the half. On 20 minutes Hitchin were awarded a penalty 25 metres out, and Captain Greg Ranson stepped up to kick the 3 points. Ranson was disappointed to miss an easier kick at goal 5 minutes later, that would have given Hitchin the lead.

Second Row Charlie Apsey stole the ball in contact and advanced 30 metres up the pitch. The backline were starting to fire, but it was not until the last play of the half that the breakthrough finally came. Chess Valley put a goal line drop out straight into touch, and from the resultant scrum, Fly Half Nathan Hillier stepped inside two tackles to touch down under the posts. Ranson converted for a 10-5 halftime lead.

An increasingly dominant scrum was starting to win the ball against the head. Replacement Prop James Bolter broke the line down the left edge and passed to Winger Bertrand Debeuf, who found Scrum Half Ryan Godfrey to finish a 50 metre effort, Ranson kicking the extras.

Bolter made another line break, as did young Hooker Zach Scott to set a platform deep in Chess territory, but white line fever took hold and Hitchin conceded a penalty. Ranson hit a great line to generate momentum, then Hillier put Bolter in to break through two tackles and score Hitchin's third, converted by Ranson.

The Hedgehogs had a bit of a wobble at this point. A misplaced pass went to floor, and Chess Valley passed into a big gap in the centre of the park to finish under the posts. Hillier then went to the sinbin for a failed attempt at an intercept, and the 14 men were punished when the powerful Scrum Half picked and went from the back of a 5 metre scrum, to reduce the margin to 5 points.

Hitchin were back on the attack, and a bulldozer of a scrum against the head earned a penalty which was kicked to touch. Prop James Mulcahy-Dance made break but was tackled by the final defender. Hitchin retained the ball and worked it to the left edge, and on the second phase back, Bolter found a soft shoulder and went over for the bonus point try, converted by the returning Hillier.

With 6 minutes remaining Chess Valley sought the try that would give them 2 bonus points in defeat, but a superb tackle from Full Back Tom Asquith-Fox and an intercept by Man of the Match Godfrey thwarted their two opportunities. Final score Chess Valley 2XV 19-31 Hitchin 2XV.

This newly formed 2XV side is already showing exciting potential, with the work put in at training over the prior two months evident on the pitch. Hitchin take 5th place in Counties 3 Herts after the opening round, and next face Fullerians 2XV, who also secured a bonus point win, at home on Saturday 13th September.

The 3XV suffered a heavy defeat at home Royston, who chose to select a very strong side against a mixed Hitchin team. The next action at the club will be a home 1XV friendly against Luton on Friday 12th September.