Sat 19 Oct 2024
As the modern day rapper might remark this was a “Boujee “of a match for Legends. They luxuriated with three glorious tries from Man of the Match Charlie Parkhouse but then were brought down to gritty reality with injury penalty try and yellow card as with their dander up the Saxons looked for that all important score in the last ten and would have got it but were undone by over eagerness and Letchworth’s gritty defence.
So a less than glorious win on the road but a bonus point win nevertheless.
Liam Fitts Captain and energetic flanker has led the side through covid, two promotions, two Cups and now to the highest position in league rugby in its history, top of Regional 1 South East - London & SE Division. He has missed just a handful of games during this period, is ever present at the breakdown too. His line out work produces excellent attacking ball and his pace off the scrum puts opponents under pressure.
He puts in the hard yards makes his tackles, is an inspiration in defence, a hard man to beat. Often confused with Henry Robinson (with less pace) but he still manages to cover the ground.
This week at Saxons he was his usual ebullient self and from the kick off led Legends into a five point lead. From a line out Lewis charged up the middle, Sharp passed long, Parkhouse took the tackle, passed on to Trimble who kicked on to chase and touch down. 0 v 5
At this point Southend were simply overwhelmed until an over hit territorial kick gave them possession, the line out, as it did all afternoon worked well and Southend began a series of attacks culminating in a penalty for a high tackle 3 v 5
Undaunted Letchworth renewed their attacking rugby style putting their hosts under continuous pressure, breaking both the tackle and gain lines.
Letchworth looked good, driving, running, only forced and unforced errors kept Saxon’s line secure. One flowing move was interrupted by a deliberate knock on which perhaps should have earned yellow. Sharp made good the penalty. 0 v 8
Twenty minutes in Letchworth looked favourites for five points, out performing Southend everywhere but in the line out which got more ragged as the game progressed. Nevertheless, Southend's 10 Benjamin Lloyd, who scored all Southend’s points, kicked a penalty 3 v 8
Southend won plenty of ball but their progress was mostly sideways, Legends tackled and jackaled. They snifted possession on half way; one drive, one long pass and Parkhouse, in space ran dummied and out paced the cover 3 v 13
Cries of “South, South, South" inspired a fine driving handling move which had its reward with a break which took Lloyd under the posts. 10 v 13
Legends were denied an instant riposte. Lewis took a line out, Howman found Sharp who busted a tackle and found Wilcock. Sprinting up the middle he offloaded to Mongston, Streets ploughed on creating a quick ruck. Sharp passed to Robinson whose gymnastic pass to Trimble was deemed forward....
Southend were unable to break the tackle let alone the gain line and lost possession to a penalty. Sharp tapped, Streets broke free, Jones and Oscar Robinson drove, Howman, Streets and Trimble’s quick hands gave Parkhouse the time to dummy, cut inside to score. 10 v 18
Saxons over-threw a line out, Sharp hacked on, chased, Tom Sly at full back knocked on. The scrum was upgraded to penalty for some back chat and Sharp converted. 10 v 21
Walker replaced Wilcock, Gurere Trimble and Turner K Hughes.
Legends started the second half with powerful tackle busting continuity and Sharp took to the air, Saxon's full back Sly knocked on again, Parkhouse could not gather but expected an attacking scrum. However, the referee played on and Southend cleared.
Letchworth put phases together for the next 20 minutes. Characteristic pack and back interplay put Parkhouse off down the touch line from half way to score. 10 v 26
With Legends in control, the Southend’s no 8 Matthew Wagstaff picked from a scrum. Making ground he tipped on to wing Patrick Woodney who chipped ahead. He was nudged off the chase by Mongston at the 22m. Mongston still on his feet fell on the loose ball. As the referee turned his back to award a penalty try a Sarf forward dived in from distance and with pace to deliberately shoulder Mongston in the head. A despicable act that should have received red and a citation. 17 v 26
Fortunately Mongston was not seriously hurt but this incident spurred South on and they started to play. Enthusiasm in the tackle, driving and running, South put some phases together only to be denied in the corner by some excellent tackling. The referee brought them back for a penalty. 20 v 26
It was all Southend and a penalty and back chat conceding a further 10m put South back into Legends' 22m. South took the line out clean, the backs made good ground until a grubber through dribbled into touch on the 5m.
Sharp kicked clear but Southend kicked back. A Letchworth scrum made a couple of yards and earned a penalty. Line out not straight put South back on the attack. The defence held firm and earned a second. Line out not straight and Saxon's continued to press, driving, handling and putting phases together. It was a nail biting ten minutes.
The game ended with Southend camped on the 5m looking for the score to win the match. As is unusual for Legends they did not concede penalties. Tackling and excellent mauling frustrated the home side despite Mongston’s yellow card and the match was won.
Elsewhere, Harpenden managed a draw 23 v 23 at home to Shelford and are 11/12 above A&C who are yet to win a match. Oundle took 5 points at Bedford Ath and remain 2/12 below Letchworth. Old Northamptonians are emerging as contenders having dealt with Huel Tring 38 v 44, a tough place to go and win. Hertford continue their reprise pipping Sudbury 25 v 29 as do North Walsham putting A&C under further relegation pressure by winning 18 v 23
Legends host Huel Tring at Legends’ Lane next week in a top of the table encounter. Tring will be eager to return to winning ways, Letchworth to keep their unblemished record.
