Sat 4 Oct 2025
What a difference five points can make… this is not a reference to the five league points picked up by Legends after a classic encounter with Sudbury, but the four-point margin in victory from the first team and the single-point win from the rebranded 1924s at Tring. The latter may be more significant, as it was the first league game out for the new-look team in what is expected to be a highly competitive season with several county first teams involved. Those five points meant the clubhouse was buzzing, and there was singing and merriment long into the night. Long may it continue! Of course, both opponents could have spoiled the party, but Legends always managed to have that edge in the second half, whilst the last twenty minutes of defence by the 1924s was immense.
The wind was always going to be a factor at Legends Lane on Saturday, and so it proved. Sudbury played with it in the first half. Letchworth had the early play camped on the five-metre line, but a turnover saw the Sudbury open side carry the length of the field to give them a gifted seven points. Minutes later, a well-worked move from a lineout saw the winger go over for another unconverted try.
This stung the home team into action, and Charlie Parkhouse, who had another fine game, was brought down just short of the line. From a quick penalty after several drives, Luke Mongston barged over to bring the home side back into it. Against the strong wind, Josh Sharp’s conversion attempt was interesting. The kick fell just short of the Sudbury posts; however, the bounce carried the ball over the crossbar, but the referee and both touch judges had turned away, and thus it was not allowed.
No matter, as for the rest of the half Letchworth were in the ascendancy. The ever-improving Adam Green ran a great line to slice through the defence and beat the fullback to go over near the post, and this time Sharp banged it over to even the scores.
Sudbury attacked again using the wind well, but new scrum-half Tom Visser robbed the ball, and his delicate chip found Charlie Parkhouse, who was stopped five metres short of the line. It was then the turn of the forwards to take a hand, with Mongston and Llewelyn Jones to the fore. The latter, who had a storming game, went over just before the break, so Letchworth led 19–12 with Sharp’s successful conversion.
The sizeable crowd, many who had gathered to celebrate the life of ex-VP Bill Dundon, now felt the wind would help Letchworth sweep to victory, but this was not the case, as Sudbury ironically won the second half by three points. Their counter-attacking against the wind was impressive, and in Sam Rust they had a superb fullback who took all the high balls and set up dangerous attacks for his fellow backs. He was abetted in the centre by Jake Sumner, whose elusive footwork caused nightmares for the Legends. As mentioned in the post-match huddle, it was essential chopping was the order of the day, not high tackling! However, despite this, they still fell four points short at the end of the day.
Indeed, for the first 10 minutes, it looked like Letchworth could run away with it, as that man Charlie Parkhouse jinked in and out, Ellie Kildunne-style, to go in near the posts without a finger being laid on him. Sharp made it 26–12, and now all seemed set fair, but Sudbury had other plans. A good move at the top of the pitch saw a try in the corner to make it 26–17. Then, when Letchworth were awarded a penalty which could have been kicked, Sharp’s attempt failed to reach touch, and the following counter nearly got through, with Josh Parkhouse receiving a yellow card for killing the ball. With growing confidence, Sudbury again sliced through indifferent tackling to be right back in it at 26–24.
Then Letchworth’s pack leader, Llewelyn Jones, was taken out in the air and had to leave the field, but surprisingly there was no card issued for this… one of several questionable decisions by the referee in the second half. As the game ebbed and flowed, it was Letchworth’s man of the match, Josh Sharp, who darted in following a scrum to make it 33–24.
The last word belonged to the visitors with another well-worked try in the corner, but the kick was never going to go over, and shortly after, no side was blown with another worthy home win for Letchworth, though Sudbury had made a real game of it, and the return should be a real ding-dong.
Next week, Legends travel to Amersham and then face Shelford at home, where there will be a league lunch. All diners should book their places with Les Wilsher on 07827 373937.
