Sat 31 Jan 2026
Sometimes it is not enough to be technically and even physically superior to your opponents; sometimes you really need true grit to get you through, and yesterday Letchworth showed it in spades following several setbacks on the field.
After the game, Baz Basra complimented his charges on a real gutsy performance where things could have gone wrong, especially just after halftime with the score at 10-14 and the home side bayed on by a large crowd of ex players starting to look as if a proper comeback was possible. He singled out Liam Fitts, who took over hooking duties once veteran prop Rambo Hughes hobbled off with an injured ankle, and also the impact of Tom Fawsett on the wing when he came on for Kwaku. Fawsett, who has been playing with the 1924s, certainly took his chance … and he deserved it. The recently engaged Luke Mongston was named forward of the match after another storming game where he broke the line for fun, and Josh Parkhouse, whose running was impressive but whose exotic tackle on a much larger opponent who took time to rise was a memorable moment in the game.
There was also an amazing tackle by fly half and skipper Josh Sharp which caused a handbag explosion on behalf of the home side, and his kicking was immaculate all afternoon, five out of five conversions, most from the touchline.
For their part, Shelford, who are deep in the danger zone of the league, fought and scrapped for all they were worth throughout. Unfortunately for them, it was not enough to achieve anything from the game, whereas Legends went away with five points in the bag, still hard on the heels of leaders Colchester, who did not have it all their own way against Old Northamptonians.
The game started in near perfect conditions on Shelfords all weather pitch, and for the first 10 minutes it was really all Letchworth. Despite the exhortations of the large crowd, Shelford could not escape from their danger zone, but their defending was magnificent until Luke Mongston burst through after a short penalty for the opening try, converted by Sharp.
Ten minutes later, Shelford, who had been conceding penalties like confetti, were punished with a long Josh Sharp kick to the corner, and from the lineout drive feisty hooker Tim Hughes went over. Again, Sharp bagged the extras.
Legends had scrum dominance, but once Kyle “Rambo” Hughes went off there was much more parity, and the home side started to come back into the contest. A great break by centre Gale was foiled near Legends try line, but from the penalty scrum half Baker went over for Shelfords opener, and despite Letchworth’s earlier dominance they were right back in it by half time at 7-14.
The home side resumed the field with their dander up, and this was amplified when second row Josh Walker was yellow carded for a clash of heads when he was in fact trying to back off… showing how crazy this new law can be! Fly half Dorasamy nailed the penalty, and it was a four point game with a man advantage.
Just when Shelford could have kicked on from this, they were the authors of their own downfall when a stupid moment of dissent caused by kicking a ball away cost a yellow card themselves, and then a further yellow for a high tackle reduced them to thirteen.
Once again, a Sharp penalty to the corner enabled Tim Hughes to get his second from the drive. Letchworth now resumed ascendancy in the last quarter, and several chances were missed before a great run by Josh Parkhouse, followed up by Fawsett, saw tireless number eight Adam Green, another contender for man of the match, touch down, and the conversion made it 10-28 and the game more or less over.
Shelford did not see it that way and attacked for all they were worth. Prop Oscar Robinson put in a fine tackle but then interfered from a prone position and was carded. From the next play it seemed certain that Shelford would score in the corner until Sharp barged the winger into touch. As he went to pick him up his movement was misinterpreted and a bundle erupted. The Letchworth skipper escaped unscathed in true fly half fashion.
There was still time for more from the visitors as scrum half Tom Aviss broke through and found Charlie Parkhouse on his shoulder. It was winger Tom Fawsett who finished things off, and at 35-10 and storm clouds gathering it was all over… or nearly, as Shelfords last move saw a penalty try and a card for Tom Lewis… unfortunately for them, too little too late, and Legends march on. On two weeks with a home tie with Medway. All diners for the lunch should phone Les Wilsher on 07827 373937.
