Sat 7 Dec 2024, 14:00
This eagerly anticipated clash between first and second was ruined to an extent by the weather which insured it would be a game of two halves and unfortunately Legends fe two scores short at half time.
Darrah did the deciding on this day as the two top teams pounded each other in the mud blood and tears. With the wind on their backs Letchworth were certain to kick but wary of the ball running long. By the end of the half Legends were 10 v 0 but most knew this would not be enough. The pitch too held up in the first half but was a quagmire in the second, players kit barely distinguishable. Both sides had kicks charged but in the second half Ben Young was able to kick longer, the ball holding in the mud.
Legends’ pack kept it tight, Sharp using his backs for the chase. Oundle lay deep and fielded well. It was not until Sharp put a penalty in the corner that after recycling left and right the score was made through the forward grit and determination of Jones. Sharp converted. Oundle did occasionally break out but Letchworth defended stoutly. It was a match being played laterally in the middle. Both sides did well to perform as conditions worsened. Jones, Wilcock and Lewis drove at Oundle who resisted until at the start of the second quarter Sharp slotted a penalty. Young on the other hand, with the wind in his face took penalty touch, the lineout a lottery Sharp was able to clear. In the second half Letchworth would have to hold tight for 40 minutes of unrelenting pressure.
Letchworth started well, winning a penalty and setting up several phases but turned over to a penalty and Young thumped it down field. A rumbling maul sucked in the defence and Young kicked wide, Noble gathered to score. Legends certainly put in the work and made ground but Oundle’s clearance kicking kept them on the front foot.
From a lineout, the maul made ground, Young miss passed to Snelling who went through the gap to score. 12 v 10.
Young’s kicks got longer and as the pitch cut up, harder to gather. With their muddy faces in front and confidence building Oundle began to move the ball. Snelling found his way to the line after several phases. 19 v 10
Legends ran at Oundle and made excellent progress but the conditions and defence did not allow them to break halfway.
In the second half of the third quarter Legends charged down and muscled up to the Oundle 22m and stayed there. It was a magnificent display of controlled rugby, Sharp used the blind side and the forwards maintained possession until a short chip was gathered by Streets who forced his way over. 19 v 17. The boisterous Oundle bench went silent.
Legends stayed with the tactic but were almost undone when a knock on was hacked forward but just eluded winger Noble as it went dead. However, it did set up a scrum from which Conor Gracey no. 8 picked and drove over. 26 v 19 and a mightily relieved Oundle bench danced.
In the dying minutes a well weighted kick to the corner had Letchworth infringe at the lineout. From the scrum which was keenly contested all afternoon Oundle made sure of the victory after many phases of ruck ball they eventually found the line 33 v 17
Despite this setback Letchworth will be looking forward to the return fixture, Oundle are eminently beatable. Unfortunately, Legends were unable to capitalise on the conditions when they had them which worsened considerably in the second half. Letchworth’s excellent driving play will stand them in good stead. Promotion is not settled by any means.
On Saturday Legends host Harpenden on whom they put 67 points in the opening game. Narrowly beaten by Sudbury 24 v 21 Harpenden have improved with wins v A&C, Bedford Ath. and North Walsham drawing v Shelford. It will be an entertaining afternoon, free to watch and to enjoy Clubhouse hospitality at lunch before and after the match.
