Sat 8 Nov 2025
Legends Overcome Stubborn Westcliff
Letchworth started with purpose and should have been three tries to the good within ten minutes. The forwards drove for territory and the backs combined to create chances out wide. Had they been more proprietorial with the ball they could have been 21 points to the good. As it happened Westcliff took the lead through Stewart with a well struck penalty. Despite possession and territory it was not until the 14th minute that Will Titherington cut through the centre feeding Charlie Parkhouse to score under the posts. Sharp converting.
A few minutes later Parkhouse broke, fed Titherington who dabbed down, Sharp converting. Letchworth could have been out of sight but Westcliff had the edge in the loose with Letchworth turning ball over, either by mishandling or at the break down Westcliff kept themselves in the match, finally scoring in the Club House corner through winger Tyler. Stewart at fly half had a great game, kicking the conversion and two more penalties putting Westcliff ahead 14 v 16 by the 45th minute.
Without doubt Letchworth were the better side but the lack of continuity and Westcliff’s flanker Andrew Mascall who had a marvelous game on the scavenge.
Nevertheless, the pressure finally told. Sharp settled nerves with a well chosen penalty goal at 52 minutes. As Westcliff tired they found it increasingly difficult to get out of their half. Legends started to dominate the scrum and found some continuity. Several breaks failed to come to fruition but Westcliff were merely surviving. Tom Avis who had a fine game set Sharp on his way after several driving rucks then miss passed the gathered forwards for Charlie Parkhouse to score unopposed, Sharp converting.
Legends were frustrated throughout the match with Westcliff injuries, which disrupted their flow, the game finishing with uncontested scrums. Westcliff did have a couple of chances which could have made for a tense last few minutes but their handling let them down. In the dying moments from a scrum Legends moved the ball wide and Josh Parkhouse scooted around the cover to score. Sharp converting.
Legends’ dogged defence refused to capitulate despite some hard fought try line action. Westcliff while getting around the field did not have the power to make good the possession and territory manufactured. Letchworth continued to look for the try bonus point which came in the 79th minute through Parkhouse and remain 2nd to their next opponents, Colchester.
Westcliff Chairman noted at the pre match lunch that unless a club has a significant membership and crowds to support revenues promotion to level 4 is a tough ask. Having played at this level for three seasons they managed to win just 6 matches from 68, each season denied relegation through RFU re-organisations. Colchester found this last season. Having won every game to be promoted could manage only three wins from twenty-six. Unbeaten so far they will no doubt be promoted this season - let’s hope they are better prepared.
They will face their toughest test on the 22nd November when Legends travel to Cuckoo Farm Way, having dispatched 2nd placed Southend 99 v 28 Colchester may well find their 100% record in danger but to challenge them Legends will need to improve their handling and work at the break-down.
