Huge first and last 20 minutes not quite enough for Stortford 4s

We welcomed Hendon to Silver Leys on a perfect rugby day – unless you are stood on the wing not involved – cold, crisp, sunny and only soft underfoot. As both tradition and scientific research demand, we warmed up and then funnily enough kicked off against a confident Hendon team.
The first 20 minutes possibly Hendon realised they underestimated us, and as a result we essentially camped in their 22 for the first 20 minutes. What was a disappointing was that they managed to hold out in defence, and we were unable to cross the line. This may have lifted Hendon heads, and they played several phases until kicking it deep into our 22. The ball became scrappy again, and ended up in the hands of our infamous Mr Clarke. His rugby brain picked up a huge hole in the wing (to be fair there was most of the match) and putting boot to ball he kicked to this area. Unfortunately Clarkeys rugby brain didn’t notice the very large Hendon player stood in front of him, who prompty blocked the ball, and it bounced kindly in front of another player who sensibly made a beeline for the corner. Conversion was not made thankfully.
After this our heads dropped, and our usual knack of lowering our game and whinging at the referee began. There may have been some justification following a rather lunge punch up involving several players from both teams, and consequently losing one from each for 10 minutes, and this set the tone for a rather niggly game with a few handbaggy and punchy moments. The biggest reaction to a comment I have ever seen also took place which everyone who saw it will remember I’m sure. Hendon to be fair, were probably far more up for it in the middle 50%, particularly their flankers and scrum half causing problems around the back of the scrum and fringes of the rucks. The half time score could well have been significantly more were it not for some very stout resolute defence as we have come to expect, particularly from Tom at 10.

At half time I changed James Taylor for new lad Ryan (Mike) Griffiths who promised he always scored 2 tries, and we made a bet on this. He came on at 8, and shortly followed onto the pitch by Chris James who had managed to escape his chicken pox bugged child for a few hours by joining us. The first 20 minutes we more or less continued bumbling along, but in the last 20 typically we woke up and began to play rugby again. Dispencing with running along the backs, which other than one great break from Spencer beating 4 men and only being caught by the full back so far in the match, the forwards began to stick it up their jumper.

This change in tactic paid dividends and we scored 2 tries from close range, both through the hands of young Ryan who unfortunately for me, won his bet and scored 2 tries. One was converted by Tom, and this second try put us within a point of Hendon. Unfortunately the final 5 minutes we did not quite get enough of the ball, and on the occasion they made it into our half, we gave away a penalty and they took it to successfully go 4 points up.

A frustrating game to watch, and one we definitely felt we should have done better in. Man of the match has to go to Ryan Griffiths for 2 tries and some great dynamism on his debut. Dick of the Day was claimed by Clarkey for his kick.

Next week, we travel to Letchworth to play their 3rds.

Chris