Sat 6 Apr 2019
Was Harry Houdini born in Letchworth? Maybe the governors of the Heritage Foundation could check the records for 1903 as their beloved rugby team pulled off one of the best feats of escapology for many a year.
Having lost to lowly Hackney just two weeks ago the task of defeating fourth in the league, Camelot, away from home seemed a daunting if not impossible one and Legends were relying on other results to go their way ... nothing was certain until the final minute. As Director of rugby Andrew Atkinson watched at Grasshoppers, the Enfield fly half lined up to take a penalty kick at 6/5 down in the last minute, Hemel were encamped on the Letchworth line with a line out five metres out. Fortunately the fly half scuffed his kick to send Enfield down to lowly London 3 and great defence from Legends cleared the danger and then a final penalty saw the ball gleefully booted into touch and the security of another season of league rugby in London 2 ... still the highest level of any clubs in this area ... though congratulations to Datchworth who will join us next season.
As it happened Legends overtook both Hackney and Enfield at the last gasp to finish a creditable ninth having held up the table since October! Great credit goes to the team and also coaches Jaggy Johal and Kieron Davies who marshalled their forces over the past four training sessions and produced a team that snatched victory from the jaws of defeat at the eleventh hour. Also thanks to Dan Bendon the seconds coach and Kev Lewis fitness who have been stalwarts throughout the season and also clubman of the year Andrew Atkinson, the Director of Rugby. At the dinner held that evening President Brian Burke also thanked outgoing coach Mick Jones for all his efforts over the past two years. Watching at Hemel was new coach Dave Hynard from Hertford and Saracens who will take the reins next season and he was more than encouraged by the Letchworth performance which was one of the best this season.
However like all things in life that are important it was hard fought and hard won and no way were Hemel who have enjoyed a great season going to lie down in the face of a ferocious Legends onslaught in the first ten minutes. Having been awarded two penalties fly half Max Rifaut went short with one and then scored the second for the visitors to lead 3/0.
However the rest of the half belonged to Hemel and only fearless defence from Letchworth kept them at bay. All eight forwards put in a great shift but as penalties mounted flanker Dave Rae took one for the team and ten minutes on the naughty step. Robin “Pottsy “ French who had had an impressive twenty minutes in the absence of hooker Ben Cullen then had to retire with a back injury only to be replaced by the mighty Barry John Mellor who had a great game for the last hour. Miniature rocket Oscar Robinson was also to the fore with an Exocet tackle on the Hemel winger preventing a certain score. Pressure told however as at last Hemel worked another overlap to score a good try ably converted . As the first half petered out Rifaut landed another penalty to leave matters at 7/6 at half time.
With the slope Legends dominated the second half and their pack drove the Hemel eight down the field on several occasions. From one of these Letchworth received a penalty and quick thinking scrum half Harvey Howman whose experience was invaluable on the day scooted in for a try. Minutes later and the ball was worked down the line for flying winger Arun Johal to go in and secure a 18/7 lead with hopefully more to come. However as so often this season Legends made a haims of the restart and Hemel were right back in it at 14/18.
More pressure from Letchworth saw a great driving scrum under the Hemel posts and skipper Sean Flatman picked up and dived over for a great score. However inexplicably the referee disallowed it as the scrum had gone ninety and then gave the put in to Letchworth.
All seemed rosy until Hemel broke out and were on the Letchworth line with just two minutes to go. Desperate defence not least by flanker and player of the year Lewis Jones kept them at bay and then a long kick downfield relieved the pressure. Another penalty and it was all over as Legends celebrated another year in this highly competitive and enjoyable league ... bring on next season!!
The Wanderers had a great game against Finsbury Park 2s which ended 29/36.
The club players awards dinner followed the dramatic events as Hemel and as the theme from the great escape was whistled throughout the night the following received the awards from the club ....
AWARDS
PLAYER OF YEAR
LEWIS JONES. 1s
DAN DENOIIJER 2s
PADDY ALLEN 3 s
ANNETTE PERRY Braveherts
Most Improved
TOMMY ROBINSON 1 s
RYAN MARSHALL 2 s
PAUL WEBBER Braveherts
Players Player
JOSH PARKHOUSE. 1 s
JOSH PAGEY. 2 s
Team of the year
SECONDS. Capt Sam Moat
Clubman of the Year
Andrew Atkinson
Caps
David Taylor
Richard Bigden
Kev Lewis
Sally Winwood
Team from 1
Robinson O
French
Stokes
Hatch
Allison
Rae
Jones
Flatman
Howman
Rifaut
Johal
Anthony
Parkhouse
Robinson T
Davies K
Mellor
Waters
Moat
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