Sat 15 Apr 2023
Well it had to happen at some stage and maybe no better time than at this stage of the season - far enough off from a potential Twickenham showdown but following one of if not the greatest season for the first fifteen in the clubs 99 year history.
The Letchworth express hit the buffers and there was no more coal left to carry them through the challenge of this most accomplished Horsham outfit who had no weak links and some exceptionally strong ones!!
Despite having a significant number of players unavailable for the trip to West Sussex, and a fair few others playing out of position, Letchworth made an encouraging start, with centres Rick Streets and Sonny Ma’asi to the fore. But with just 10 minutes on the clock Letchworth were further depleted when powerful hooker Rambo Hughes had to leave the field – or rather the AGP! – with a leg injury.
Horsham competed ferociously at the breakdown, their agile backs taking full advantage of turnover ball to counter attack. After 25 minutes Letchworth were three converted tries down, one of which was scored by winger Declan Nwachukwu, who’s exceptional pace was a constant threat throughout. A converted penalty from just outside Letchworth’s 22 made it 24 – 0.
Letchworth knew that if they could score before half time they were still in with a fighting chance, and they went through phase after phase deep in Horsham’s 22. But as they got closer to the Horsham try line the game was stopped because of a head injury to a Horsham prop, and with it went the momentum that Letchworth were building, and the half time whistle was blown with no further score.
Within 2 minutes of the re-start Horsham fed the flying Nwachukwu to go over for another 7 pointer, his 30th try of what has obviously been an outstanding season. At 31 – 0 Letchworth had a mountain to climb. But their heads didn’t drop and they put together a sustained period of pressure in the Horsham half but excellent defence kept them out. Then a breakaway try by Horsham’s other wing, Max Paterson, was brilliantly converted to make it 38 – 0.
Then came Letchworth’s best period of play, going through the phases for first flanker Luke Mongston to crash over and then fly half Josh Sharp did the same. Sharp converted both to bring the scoreline to 38 – 14. But the next score was Horsham’s, scrum half Aaron Linfield gathering a loose ball on Letchworth’s 22 before a combination of great footwork and pace saw him go over under the posts, the conversion making it 45 – 14.
Letchworth continued to press and it was they who looked most likely to score next, but again the Horsham defence stood strong and the final whistle blew with no further score. Perhaps a disappointing way to end the season – albeit against a very good Horsham side – but nothing should take away from the fact that this has been an outstanding year for this Letchworth side.
The players will now have a deserved and well earned break before the exertions of the annual players dinner on Friday May 12th.
Team from 1:
Tate
Hughes
Robinson
Peasnell
Wilcock
Mongston
Fitts (c)
Lewis
Palmer
Sharp
Askham
Streets
Ma’asi
Johal, A
Titherington
Reps:
Amos
Buchanan
Hay
By RS & BB
