Sat 18 Jan 2025
'When I was young I used to have this nightmare about dying. I used to lie awake at night screaming. All my school friends went to heaven or hell, and I was sent to Southend'. — Douglas Adams, Author.
After the postponements of Amersham&Chiltern (now Saturday 8th February (H)) and Sudbury (now Saturday 22nd February (A)) the frost has lifted, and Legends ran out against Southend Saxons who were promoted last season as neighbours Rochford 100 and Westcliff were both relegated. Rochford are holding on in Regional 2 Anglia (9th) while Westcliff lead, nine points clear of Eton Manor.
In Regional 1 South East Letchworth hold second place with two games in hand, Oundle are now 16/16 on 79 with Sudbury trailing in third, 48 to Letchworth’s 61. This week’s rivals, Southend were 9th on 27 before meeting Letchworth in what has been a mixed season having started well then falling to a run of six defeats including Letchworth in R6 20 v 26. The rugby at Legends Lane (behind the Letchworth Leisure Centre) is excellent and a great afternoon out for the whole family - next home match Saturday 8th February.
The Letchworth back line has settled and Trimble is enjoying himself at full-back, racing in for three last time out v Bedford Athletic where the backs excelled scoring six tries, Asiedu at last given the ball in space to hand off, bump a tackle and smash his way over from 60 meters, Johal hitting two. It is fast entertaining rugby.
Previous encounters against Southend had seen Letchworth win each match but with only 9 points separating the teams over three games. This time out, Letchworth outplayed Saxons in every department and were runaway winners but let us deal with the butcher’s bill first. Sharp let the ball go, Trimble had nothing but grass ahead but knocked on. Lewis broke from 3rd phase, fed inside but again the ball was fumbled, and in the third quarter Trimble outpaced the cover, fed inside to Titherington who knocked on. Twenty one points went begging but Saxons had no reply to Letchworth's supremacy,
Legends dominated in the tight winning scrum penalties throughout. Southend resorted to taking the lineout option whenever possible. However, neither side controlled this element and a scrum was the outcome nevertheless, which deprived Southend of quality possession.
It was very cold and the mud sticky; ample reason for handling to go awry occasionally, but despite the knock-ons Letchworth scored on a regular basis with Southend only threatening once in the first half. Southend’s only try coming from broken play late on which had been preceded by at least two forward passes but no matter the game was lost by half time.
Sharp controlled, clearing from restarts and the pack forced the line-out scrum, which they invariably won. Gibbs was energetic, later Howman added physicality. Streets set up the rucks, Sharp moved the ball, Trimble joined the line and Asiedu took his chances from two well placed grubbers. Johal defended and covered, broke tackles and made ground, scoring a fine try after Asiedu came inside, Titherington fed Trimble who left Johal the run in. The back line looks formidable. Titherington played link man and made his tackles. Mongston was lively, Fitts did the hard work and Lewis busted through as usual. Wilcock, Jones and Robinson committed defenders allowing it all to happen. Kyle Hughes added power in the second half, Henderson came on and after knocking on first touch took the ball and sprinted to the Eagles End setting up a score for Trimble.
Tim Hughes got about the field as did Conor Turner who looks more accomplished each week. The pack's superiority showing throughout culminating in a push over try for Mongston.
The challenge for top spot is probably over Oundle having confounded Bedford Athletic 92 v 0 to hold on to their unbeaten record. Letchworth are closest 18 points adrift with two games in hand. Sudbury (3rd) pipped Hertford 20 v 27 and ONS (4th) have regained their composure defeating Huel Tring 43 v 31 but both are well off the pace.
Sudbury and ONS also have two games in hand. Sudbury are due a lesson in manners when they next visit The Lane and the ONS result in R8 (ONS winning 34 v 37) needs redress. There is no game next week with Legends travelling to Tring on the 1st February.
Leicester, England (World Cup Winner) and Irish and British Lion Neil Back is Letchworth’s guest at Legends’ Lane Centennial Dinner on Thursday 30th January at 6:45 for 7:30. Contact Les Wilsher on 07827 373937 for 4 course dinner tickets £50.
