Sat 9 Nov 2019
Legends came off second best in the battle of the Garden Cities on Saturday against a Welwyn side who played with purpose and determination and deserve their bonus point win. Whilst the home side welcomed back several key players Letchworth missed their big ball carrying number eight and skipper Sean Flatman and unusually struggled in both set pieces of lineout and scrum. On a filthy day that kept a lot of the lunchers confined to the bar, the speedy Letchworth back line had little chance to exercise their skills ... but then you need ball to do that! With ball in hand the visitors looked dangerous but as with the London Welsh game conditions did not suit ball in hand.
It was Letchworth who started the brighter of the two sides and a great break out of defence led to a scrum just inside the Welwyn 22. Harry Charlier, playing at eight, picked up the ball and with surprising speed out ran the defence to score a great early try. This was converted by Jay Johal to make the score seven nil. However it was the home side who dominated the remainder of the half and kept possession well in the awful conditions. A kick through caught Letchworth on the hop and then a huge looped pass saw their skipper Adam Harcourt go over with Kemp converting to level the scores.
This score visibly lifted the Welwyn pack and they really made the visitors second best for the remainder of the half. Kemp scored out wide after severe pressure for Welwyn but on the stroke of half time a good strike from Jay Johal pulled the scores back to 12/10 at the interval.
With slope and slight wind advantage it was to be hoped that Legends could pin back the home side in the bottom corner. This did not happen and after only a few minutes of pressure burly Liam Walpole went over and Kemp again added the points. Letchworth lost scrum half Waters who suffered an eye injury and this disruption did not help the cause.
Another Johal penalty narrowed the gap but another catch and drive at close quarters let in Welwyn for their fourth and bonus point try. Letchworth then enjoyed their best period in the entire game and a forwards drive was touched down by John Brain, bringing matters to 24/18 and the visitors were really back in it to cause shivers - not just from the cold -to run through the home support.
However Letchworth gave a really soft score away as fly half Grehan chased his own grubber and touched down under the posts for another seven pointer just as the game was there to be turned.
The match was now lost but Legends never gave up and a great final move saw Kitson over in the corner to make it 31/23. Agonisingly Jay Johal’s conversion from near the touchline faded wide as did the visitors hopes of at least a losing bonus point which would have been deserved in the dire conditions under which both sides battled.
It is to be hoped that brighter weather may lead to a brighter result at home next weekend when stylish west London outfit Grasshoppers come calling. There is a hot buffet from 1.30 and all are welcome - just let B Burke know for catering purposes 07768 274037
Team
ROBINSON O
Allen
Mellor
Brierley
Brain
Jones
Charlier
Waters
Dunscombe
Anthony
Johal Arun
Johal Aman
Gurure
Johal J
Stokes
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