Sat 7 Dec 2019
Wow ... another thriller at Legends Lane! Both sides knew what vital points were at stake in this lower table encounter and there was scarcely a sheet of bronco between the two teams. For once though the rub of the green and their superior scrummage favoured Letchworth with Hackney also receiving two yellow cards in the second half which helped turn the game in legends favour. Having come from 13/3 behind, the final whistle came with a burst of relief from players and spectators alike. The Letchworth comeback showed real guts and determination but Hackney must be wondering how on earth they let this one slip after a very impressive first forty minutes.
The game began in fine December sunshine and after only a few minutes Letchworth received a penalty just inside the Hackney half. Young Jai Johal, who had been practicing his kicking since before midday, stepped up with all the assurance of a veteran and with a bit of breeze assistance put over a mighty kick. However minutes later Legends were dealt a blow when winger Tattinda Gurure had to leave the field with a pulled hamstring. Letchworth’s next attack was thwarted by good press defence and now it was the visitors turn to dominate. Good interplay by forwards and backs saw a good try out wide. Minutes later the old failing of trying to run the ball out from deep instead of applying a boot with breeze to the Baldock end cost Letchworth dear as they conceded a penalty and then another well worked try by the visitors as they now looked to dominate.
After a good talking to by stand in skipper Johnny Brain Legends had the best of the last ten minutes of the first half but failed to penetrate the Hackney defence. However on the stroke of half time Letchworth won a penalty in front of the posts and Jai Johal slotted this easily to bring back the scores to 13/6 at the break … a vital score that would haunt Hackney in the dying minutes of this game.
From the restart against the elements it was the home side who really took the initiative. The front row of Robinson, Hughes, Mellor and later Turner really demolished the Hackney scrum and eventually the visitors received a yellow. From a scrum just inside the Hackney 22, Charlier set off Chris Gibbs and the nippy Letchworth nine went in midway between posts and touchline. Unfortunately the kick to tie the scores was missed but Letchworth still pressed and just as the first Hackney yellow returned they received another which kept them on the back foot.
Having missed a couple of scoring chances when the final ball failed to go to hand the Letchworth backs now made up for it with the best move of the game. Again the forwards won good ball just inside their own half and Gibbs and Jai Johal moved the ball wide quickly. Centre Dunscombe then fed Aman Johal in space and the young centre put on the after burners to leave three Hackney defenders in his wake to go over in the corner ... boys own stuff for the Hitchin boys sixth former!
His brother just missed the conversion from out wide but now Legends had a narrow lead they had no intention of surrendering. The last fifteen minutes were both scary and thrilling for the home crowd. Some mighty hits kept the visitors at bay but now they were winning more ball and their retention was good. Some penetrating kicks put the home side under real pressure especially when a penalty gave the visitors an attacking line out five metres out. However this was the vital line out that Letchworth won and cleared their lines.
A further attack saw Letchworth guilty of not rolling away and a penalty to Hackney in front of the posts just where Jai Johal had converted in the first half. As the crowd drew breath the hapless Hackney kicker shanked the ball wide and to his despair there was little time to make amends. Another crushing scrum allowed scrum half Chris Gibbs to whack the ball into the car park and let the team begin Captains Cocktails celebrations which went long into the night and it must be said the visitors stayed for a good few drinks as well ... traditional rugby at its best.
Legends travel to Luton next week and aim to keep up this run of form before the Christmas break, and then will play Diss at home in the cup on January 4th, kick off 2pm.
The seconds went down to Datchworth 18/14 in another exciting game.
Team from 1:
Robinson
Hughes
Mellor
Brierley
Brain. C
STACEY
Charlier
Schoeman
Gibbs
Johal j
Kitson
Dunscombe
Johal Aman
Gurure
Johal Arun
Turner
Jones
Denooijer
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