Matt Dyer carries with Arbon in close support
Finchley 17 Hitchin 0
A somewhat flattering scoreline for Finchley saw them take all the league points on Saturday. Whilst the Hitchin forwards dominated long periods of the game a desperately lack lustre performance from the backline failed to convert any of the pressure into points. Hitchin set there stall out straight from the start against their more illustrious opponents with a series of driving runs deep into the homesides territory. Playing against the torrential rain Hitchin rarely let Finchley out of their own half but dropped catches and missed passes continually stemmed any fluidity in attack. Although 3 attempts at goal were missed during the half it was the inability to turn any of the constant supply of ball from the forwards into worthwhile try scoring chances.
At the halftime break, despite the lack of scoring, spirits were still high amongst the Hitchin team. Finchley, aware that they were going to face a continued onslaught without the help of the elements to clear their line, were set for a damage limitation excercise. However poor decision making and more dropped passes began to lift the homeside spirits. In a twenty minute period that saw Finchley finally get within striking distance of the Hitchin goalline they taught their young visitors how to make the best of their chances, scoring on both occaisions. Frustation began to grow across the Hitchin team and, despite the poor service, wingers Chris Betts and Marlon Banton both looked to keep attack momentum going. With twenty minutes left on the clock fly half Jack Peachey began to pin the homeside back again with territory gaining kicks, always fiercely followed up by Betts and Banton, but it proved to be too little too late.
Statistics will show that Hitchin had probably 80% of the match, sadly this was not reflected in the scoreline.
Team William Corrigan, Joe Benucci, Richard Stidolph, Ryan Arbon, Philip Hobbs, Simon Banner, Karl Brooks, Jim Panter, Carwyn Morgan, Jack Peachey, Marlon Banton, Dale Baines, Ashley Cochrane, Chris Betts, James Larman
Subs Jason Livings, Matthew Dyer, Clint Sacks
Scores
The league: London North West 3