Sat 25 Jan 2020
If after half an hour of this game anyone from the large contingent of Letchworth travelling support had suggested that their side might come away from this encounter with a bonus point win he or indeed she would have been laughed off the paddock. At this stage the home side were dominant in nearly every aspect of the game and really did seem to want it more. Scrum and lineout and open play were all dominated by Datchworth with experienced forwards McBroom, Francis and Young to the fore and the ever dangerous James Watt on the wing. It did not help that Letchworth were giving the Datchworth out half an arm chair ride at this stage. For themselves the visitors gave away a string of penalties, failed to retain possession, and missed a couple of crucial tackles. Although young Jai Johal kicked Letchworth into the red zone they failed to capitalise and Datchworth broke out. Two penalties later and Datchworth were rumbling over for the first score of the game which went unconverted. Minutes later and the Villagers took one against the head. The ball was moved swiftly blind and the winger screamed down the touch line to score in the corner and make it 10 nil and Letchworth very much on the back foot.
However in the last ten minutes of the half a transformation occurred as Letchworth at last got some possession. Burly forward Johnny Brain rumbled through several tackles only to be brought down close to the line. However Letchworth then took a scrum and Arun Johal made a fine break. The ball was popped to Chris Gibbs and he fed Will Stacey, playing in the centre for the afternoon. The burly back rower dashed over the line and cut in to make the kick easier for Jai Johal who duly obliged. Minutes later and things got even better for the visitors as they won another set play and Will Stacey and dangerous winger Julian Kitson combined up the blindside. A lovely weighted kick from Kitson saw the ball grasped by Chris Gibbs and he fed Johal to go over for what remained an unconverted score but as the whistle went for half time it was Legends who led 10/12 much to everyone’s surprise and the home side’s disappointment.
Things reverted to Datchworth pressure as the second half unravelled. Again Legends leaked penalties and the villagers wisely decided to keep the scoreboard ticking over and with two good strikes they regained the lead 16/12. Their vicelike grip on this game was always susceptible to the visitors nimble backs breaking through and so it proved, though on this occasion it was ex-winger Harry Charlier, now playing in the back row and having another stormer, who burst through with a great fifty metre break. As he was cut down just short of the line he popped the ball to Chris Gibbs who dotted down under the posts. No problem for Johal to add the extras.
The fury of the Datchworth play from the restart was so palpable it could be felt on the touchline. They literally threw the kitchen sink at Letchworth in their efforts to retake the lead. Time and time again they drove right onto the line only to be repulsed from young prop Brendan Hunt to inspiring skipper Sean Flatman, whilst when they moved it wide the Letchworth backs were equal to the task. Harvey Howman, who had moved in from the wing to scrum half, helped to steady the ship and it was good to have this experienced player back in the fold. Effectively it was this period of defence that won the game for Legends whilst the icing was to come in the last few minutes. This time it was the dancing fly half Jai Johal who scooted through a now tiring Datchworth side who seemed to have expended all their effort and scored under the posts. His conversion saw Letchworth now ten points clear and with a try bonus point ... quite remarkable when thinking about the first half hour. Although Datchworth again attacked in a valiant effort to take something from this game Letchworth, with all their substitutes now on the field, kept them at bay and Johal put the ball out and into the stream as the referee signalled full time.
So great joy for the visitors who, with this win, did a lot to secure their place in this league for another season and can now begin to enjoy and expand their game to suit their skilful young backs as the pitches dry and harden. For Datchworth it was like viewing the feast but coming away empty handed without even the consolation of a bonus point, but for Legends sweet revenge after their earlier loss at home to the villagers against the run of play that day. No doubt both sides will meet again next season to renew the local rivalry which was always most sporting as indeed was this game played in the correct spirit of rugby ... play to win but not at all costs, and win with dignity lose with grace .... a position adopted by both sides over the two matches . No doubt the port supplied by coach Dave Hynard to the visitors dressing room at the end of the game went down well too!
Next week Letchworth have another tough game at home to Hammersmith and Fulham who lie second in the league, but with things on the up who knows what might occur at Legends Lane. You may not be laughed off the paddock for thinking a bonus point win could be possible! There is a lunch beforehand at one o clock. All diners to book in with Brian Burke 07768 274037 for another roller coaster afternoon.
The semi-final of the regional intermediate cup takes place on Saturday Feb 8th, when the North Herts outfit travel to Charlton Park for a rerun of last seasons game, when thanks to the boot of Lewis Waters they won with more or less the last kick of the game. Exciting days ahead for all concerned.
Team from 1:
Hunt
Allen
Mellor
Brain
Flatnan c
Hatch
Charlier
Allison
Gibbs
Johal J
Kitson
Stacey
Johal Arun
Howman
Davies
Khakid
Jones
De Nooijer
Coaches: Dave Hynard & Jaggy Johal
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