Sat 28 Feb 2026
Letchworth won a high-scoring and highly entertaining game at the The Leys on Saturday, avoiding a certain banana skin against a young and determined Westcliff side who were fighting for their league lives and proved formidable opposition. After a real tussle for three quarters of the match, it looked as if Legends would take all the spoils as they led by a hefty 20 points at 47-27 and it seemed that the Seasiders would have empty buckets as the sands of the game were running out. However, full credit to the home side; with two late scores they achieved two bonus points, which could be crucial for their relegation battle over the next six weeks. Even the away side supporters were cheering the last conversion to go over from near the touchline.
But what of Legends? Well, it was another great victory on the road without too many signs of physical injury besides back of the match Josh Parkhouse’s kamikaze tackling and aerobatics from kick-offs, as Baz Basra remarked afterwards, “How are you still in one piece?!” Kwaku Asiedu was back to his free-scoring self with a fine hat trick, which were not just run-ins, and up front Llewelyn Jones had a mighty match, carrying at every opportunity. An absolute callithump of forward drives by successive forwards on the Westcliff line in the second half led to Luke Mongston’s score to put clear water between the two sides. With a mighty battle with Colchester looming at Legends Lane next week, Westcliff, who only lost by three points to the league leaders earlier this season, provided a good warm-up to say the least. Colchester will be confident after their crushing win against Walsham, but no doubt the lively atmosphere and large crowd will provide a sixteenth man next Saturday.
As the sun peeked out from the Southend estuary, skipper Alex Hatton, celebrating his hundredth cap, led his side out for what the large crowd hoped would be a must-win for the second-bottom side. However, after only five minutes their line had been breached when two mighty passes from Aviss and then Sharp found Asiedu out wide and his strength put him over in the corner, with Sharp converting.
For the next twenty minutes, however, it was all Westcliff, which included a disallowed try, a card for Mongston, great defence, then inevitably a score through a penalty try with Westcliff dominant up front. A penalty from Sykes, whose goal-kicking was impeccable all afternoon, followed and the home side led for only a few minutes.
An attempted intercept by Westcliff was gathered by Arun Johal, who ran a great line and put flanker Liam Fitts through under the posts for a great seven-pointer. Sykes kicked another penalty and then the home side went ahead again with a well-worked try finished by winger Mahony out wide. However, just before half time Legends struck twice. A penalty to the corner by Sharp led to a great lineout and the fly half was nearly over before Llewelyn Jones banged across the whitewash to score and celebrate St David’s Day a day early. Then, to the home side’s woes, a needless kick by the centre was charged down by Kwaku and as he picked it up no one was going to stop him as he dotted down under the posts and at half time Letchworth led 28-20, maybe somewhat fortuitously.
After all that drama, maybe the crowd thought the second half would be a quieter affair, but this was not the case. Baz Basra used all his subs early and they all had an impact in the game. Letchworth had the best of the first ten of the second half. Parkhouse was just foiled and then brother Charlie’s chip found Kwaku, who rounded several players before feeding Max Trimble, who put on the burners to score. Westcliff replied with a well-worked seven-pointer before the Letchworth callithump—charge on charge—brought Mongston his reward after Llewelyn Jones had just failed to capitalise on his own charge down a few minutes earlier.
With a player in the sin bin, Westcliff were on the rack and a great break by Gibbs saw Trimble take it on and feed Kwaku for his hat trick and at 27-47 it seemed all over and, as the old saying goes, the poor home side dog would have none.
However, this proved otherwise as they scored in the seventy-eighth minute to make it 34-47 and straight from the kick-off some lax Legends tackling let in another near the corner. The crowd was hushed as Sykes’ kick gave them a second bonus point and no side was blown after a great game. There is a lunch next week at the Lane with only a few places remaining. Contact Les Wilsher on 07827373937.
Team from 1: Robinson, Hughes T, Hughes K, Green, Jones, Mongston, Fitts, Lewis, Aviss, Sharp, Parkhouse J, Parkhouse C, Johal, Asiedu, Gibbs
Subs: Walker, Mc Gown, Trimble
