Sat 22 Mar 2025
Legends can hold their heads high against worthy champions!
The long range weather forecast had predicted sunshine with spits and spots of rain, the previous week had not been all doom and gloom despite the loss to North Walsham and indeed every cloud did have a silver lining with Letchworth guaranteed 2nd place but would need a great game in order to win against the champions designate, Oundle. However, your Colchesters and Oundles of this world have and might regret promotion into a league tougher than the rest. Letchworth would have to pull out all the stops to win but also embrace the lessons and move forward.
But let's get right to the core, Oundle's pack has a powerful punch and despite the never say die attitude Letchworth were always on a budget in terms of possession. Clouds of uncertainty filled the crowd with apprehension, the Letchworth faithful urged the black and amber on as they geared up but the bottom line was they lacked the finishing touches and were prey to Oundle's ambition.
Nevertheless, Letchworth's season, which will come to an end in two weeks at Shelford has been the sum of small efforts repeated match in match out. Driving, running and sure handling have produced many memorable moments. Without doubt this has been Letchworth's best team assembled and their best season. Despite falling short on this occasion the season will be long remembered.
From the start, despite their narrow defeat in the previous round Letchworth took the game to Oundle on their own turf. In the previous round Oundle had beaten Tring 84 v 7 and to take their points tally to 1000 they needed to score 35. With their average score of 48 Letchworth would do well to deny them.
In the end Oundle scraped home with a late try from Snelling converted by Young. Letchworth were hesitant from the first. Several loose passes and losses in the tackle enabled Snelling and Young to take the score to 0 v 14 in the first quarter. By half time Tandy then Winch with Young’s unerring boot made the score 0 v 28. Despite determined running from Streets and the driving of Lewis, Walker and Jones Oundle’s defence held firm.
The second half was all Letchworth who confined Oundle to their 22m and for sustained periods their 5m. With the penalty count mounting, despite a warning the referee failed to act and Oundle kept 15 players on the pitch. They are a good side but there is a thin line between enthusiasm and arrogance, too often baiting and cheering Letchworth’s errors and efforts they made themselves very unpopular. This ill mannered behaviour lies outside the standards of rugby. Respect for fellow players must be an integral part of a sport where bodies are literally put on the line. Humility in victory did not match Letchworth’s dignity in defeat.
Letchworth outplayed Oundle throughout the second half but under pressure from excellent defence were unable to take their opportunities. At the last after Snelling and Young had scored 7 against the run of play, the irresistible and magnificent Mongston took the ball from the Supporters Player of the Season, Christopher Gibbs, at a quick penalty, beat several players to outflank the cover to dive in at the corner. Scant reward for a team which had dominated for the previous 35 minutes.
Letchworth Legends have had an outstanding four years under the Captaincy of Liam Fitts. Double promotions, a Hertfordshire Cup a fourth and now second place in Regional 1 South East (level 5). His contribution has been outstanding. Coach Baz Basra called all players and supporters into the new extension to praise Liam Fitts as skipper over the past five years and award deserved centenary cap . This led to a great night of merry making at the club for all to conclude the last home match of the season .
Legends end their season at Shelford on the 5th April and look forward to a summer of celebration and recuperation with the Players’ Dinner on the 11th April and the Summer Ball in May.
Photos below taken by the superb Max Pepper Creative Photographer.
