Sat 1 Mar 2025
Asiedu hat trick sinks Hertford!
It was a happy St David’s Day for Letchworth on the first sunny day of Spring at Legends Lane as a massive crowd in excess of five hundred watched an enthralling contest between these two old rivals following a lunch featuring Les Wilsher’s legendary centenary pie! Check out a selection of photos from the day from zjrphoto.com.
The day had started with the Colts Academy, based at Letchworth, taking on the much more experienced Hertford Colts, the two sides separated by three leagues in Hertford’s favour. The Academy pressed hard for an early try but were held out by superior experience, weight and power. Hertford scored a number of long-range tries and put the game to bed by the third quarter.
The Academy players graduated from minis at Letchworth and were joined by Stevenage Colts to form the Colts Academy. It is their first year and holds a great deal of promise. Coached by Adam Amos and Lucas Titherington of Bedford Blues, they will be a formidable side next season and would welcome all Colts age (17/18) players joining them.
The largest crowd yet watched as Letchworth Legends opened up a commanding lead 19 v 0.
Within two minutes, Asiedu combined with Trimble who cut inside, drew the cover and skilfully passed outside for the powerful wing to hand off the wing and sprint to the corner. Walker, then ever-improving prop Conor Turner, smashed his way over after concerted close driving.
Kwaku Asiedu, once in space, has the agility, power and pace to score from deep and he took his second of three by half time, handing off his winger, outpacing the centre Josh Rudling to burst through the full-back’s tackle, making the most of Titherington’s initial break. Legends led by 29 v 0 when a series of injuries took their toll.
Trimble had limped off at 35 minutes. Howman came on at scrum half and Gibbs moved to fullback. Then Howman was carried from the field, Gibbs returned to scrum half and Sharp covered fullback but also operated at fly half. The space allowed Hertford’s talented no. 10 and backs to dictate. They ran in three until Asiedu stemmed the tide, sprinting from his own 22m to put Legends back on track. Hertford scored a fourth for the bonus in what was a thrilling twenty minutes. This period was certainly Hertford’s purple patch with Lemon and his back division outstanding and Letchworth chasing shadows.
Letchworth regained their composure and scored a brace from Lewis and Gibbs, the last a scrum push-over, previously seen thirty years ago when packs refused to collapse. The game ended 43 v 22.
This compelling local derby was marred by the bawling of the Hertford coach. He was spoken to by the referee but not dismissed as some thought he should.
Screamed criticism and fervent appeals from coaching benches have become prevalent. It spoiled what was a great match between two long-standing rivals. It has become so bad the RFU cannot fail to notice and some coaches will soon find themselves red carded and banned from the touchline!
However, that was a minor blemish on an otherwise outstanding day as players and spectators from both clubs mingled in a great rugby bonhomie that went on long after the final whistle!
Next week Letchworth travel to North Walsham. Kick off 15:00.
