Hitchin 3rd XV 17 - 27 Hackney 2nd XV
A rather surreal day at the coalface this week. Hackney arrived promptly at 1 o’clock, focused and ready to complete a double over Hitchin. One late setback, due to an exploding boiler chez Dave Huxley, was not going to prevent the March of the Gargoyles. Changed and organised at 1.25, touch and set piece sorted by 1.35. Then Hitchin’s captain appears asking for a player as they only have 12 men for a merit table game, cue a short debate on the morals of fair play versus sure victory. I am proud to report fair play won the day and Dave Bates offered to play for Hitchin, as a consequence scrummages were to be uncontested.
At the kick off a head count revealed 14 men on the pitch for Hitchin, slightly at odds with the story so far. Hackney chose to play with the wind (possibly gale) in the first half giving them territory and pressure, resulting in the opening try from Luke. Discipline levels were not at their best (again) and following the restart a succession of penalties allowed Hitchin to score a try and claw back 5 points. More pressure in the opposition half gave Chris the chance to score out on the left wing, giving the Gargoyles their 7 point cushion back. Hackney then entered a dreamlike phase with players convinced that they were capable of winning the game single handed, coupled with the most outstanding piece of Gargoyle play this season NOT to result in a score. Territory and possession were unconverted for the second quarter of the half.
Hitchin were a side as determined to win as any other opposition Hackney have faced this season, strong direct running in the midfield was their game plan, only going wide when well past the gain line. This tactic in tandem with the favourable wind in the second half saw them score within 5 minutes. However a superb restart kick from Matt gave Joe the time to get under the ball, win possession and go forward. Within a few phases Hitchin infringed and Matt helped himself to another 3 points. Hackney by now had realised that they were in a game and not a Sunday jaunt. Focus began to return, the next 15 minutes saw much more considered and effective play culminating in Joe making a blistering run from midfield to wing and back in to score. Yet Hitchin still had a trick up their sleeve scoring within 2 minutes as Hackney had a quick forty winks. The Gargoyles were back to only a 5 point lead with 13 minutes left to play. The spoils were up for grabs from either side, only it was Hackney’s superior determination that saw accuracy and enterprise rewarded with the final try from Jack out on the right wing.
MOTM – Dave Bates, there were no other contenders. Any player that travels to the depths of Hertfordshire for his first second team game of the season, to end up playing for the opposition, receive a knee drop from a Hackney player, actually deserves more.