Sat 11 Oct 2025
There are certain incidents in any match that can turn things around, and certainly the minute before half-time was one of them. For the home side, it was a case of pride going before a fall, and from being in a position of dominance, they ended up with nothing by the end of the afternoon.
Letchworth skipper Josh Sharp is not only a fine fly-half but also well able to manage game tactics, and at 15–5 down, Legends were awarded a penalty in the Amersham 22, more or less in front of the posts on the stroke of half-time. Rather than go for an uncertain catch and drive, Sharp opted to bang it over and collect the three points to make it a one-score game. This was all done as the home side were whooping that they had sorted Letchworth up front and victory was a done deal!
As Sharp said: “Those three points were vital, as for a long period we only led by two, and the last try and conversion from the touchline was just the icing on the cake as it left them with nothing for all their efforts.”
The first half started with early Letchworth pressure, but Amersham worked their way upfield for a penalty on a high tackle and were rewarded with three points. Letchworth’s first clear break saw Charlie Parkhouse feed winger Chris Gibbs, who was brought down just short of the line. However, a penalty to Letchworth saw the ball won from the lineout, and then a reverse pass saw Josh Parkhouse go over for a try to make it 5–3 for the visitors.
However, it must be said that the remainder of the half belonged to Amersham, who played very attractive rugby and scored a great try which involved nearly the whole side. Following further pressure, they went over again to make it 15–5 with only a few minutes left. Letchworth rallied at this stage and drove deep into the Amersham red zone with several drives that fell just short of the line. With the last play in sight, it was then skipper Josh Sharp who opted for a kick in front of the posts to reduce the deficit to 15–8, and as described, Amersham really felt that with breeze and slope, this one was truly in the bag!
However, as so often this season, it was the third quarter that was Letchworth’s best period. Whatever Baz Basra had said at half-time, Legends came out sniffing blood and dominated the set pieces and possession. After several penalties, Amersham’s best forward, Olayinka Kazeem, was carded, and Legends took full advantage of the extra man. Sharp put this penalty to the corner, and from the lineout, the backs gave it full width for new boy Brendon Masume to fasten on the ball at full pace to score. Letchworth’s latest recruit impressed both in attack and defence, and as Sharp converted his try, the scores were tied.
Then, when man of the match Luke Mongston took a quick penalty, it caught Amersham napping, and Tim Hughes, having another dynamic game at hooker, fed Charlie Parkhouse, who jinked through to score a fine try, and Sharp made it 22–15.
It wasn’t over yet, though, as the Amersham pack, now restored to eight, started to dominate again at scrum time, and a blindside move saw a try in the corner which they failed to convert. As Letchworth hung on by a shred with the scrum going backwards, number eight Tom Lewis intelligently picked up from the back and made several telling runs. It was then Legends who attacked fiercely but unfortunately squandered three scoring chances.
Away supporters’ nerves were tested as Amersham broke out and seemed to be going the length of the pitch until Masume’s clattering tackle ended things. At last, the ball went to hand, and Josh Parkhouse went over in the corner in the dying minutes to settle things at 27–20. At least Amersham thought they had a bonus point, but with Sharp’s fantastic conversion, the poor Dogs had none! A lesson of hubris, maybe… that’s over-cockiness for you front rowers!
Next week, Letchworth are home to an improving Shelford side who drew 29-all with North Walsham, so another cracker can be expected at Legends Lane next week. Lunch from one o’clock can be booked with Les Wilsher on 07827 373937.
