Sat 1 Feb 2020
Well the new scoreboard beaming over the gloomy February sky did not lie with the final score but this game was far closer than mere figures suggest. For the first 15 minutes there was scarcely a sheet of bronco between these two sides and the lead changed hands several times. It was an unfortunate interception that gave Fulham the decisive score and they then pulled away from a dogged Legends side who fought to the last minute to try and secure a bonus point. Unfortunately even that eluded them but the Hammers coach was more than gracious in victory saying that Legends were the toughest side that they had faced all season.
It was certainly a spring like day at Legends Lane with a gusty wind blowing down towards Baldock as Letchworth took advantage of this in the first half. Despite an early flurry of attacks by the home side Hammersmith were the first to record a score on the new scoreboard with a driving ball from 10 meters out which went unconverted. Back came Letchworth with some really fluid play involving both backs and forwards with centre Daffyd Lloyd to the fore and eventually scrum-half Harvey Howman sold a neat dummy worthy of Digger Gardiner to the entire Hammersmith defence to waltz in under the posts for a fine score which was converted by Jai Johal.
The young fly half then added a further well struck penalty to put the score at 10/5 before Hammersmith again used the main weapon of the driving maul - this time from 20m out - a salutary lesson for the home side. The scores were now tied at 10:10.
However Legends now enjoyed a great 10 minutes with both backs and forwards linking well and eventually burly Johnny Brain ploughed over, knocking Hammers defenders like skittles, for a fine try which was again converted to leave the score at 17/10. Unfortunately lax tackling from a phase one ball at a scrum by Hammers just before half-time let them in for a score to put things at 17/15 at half-time.
Although they were against the wind Letchworth dominated the first period of the second half and were in the visitors red zone for the first fifteen minutes of the restart. A great move involving returning winger Gurure, Gibbs and Brain saw a really questionable interception by the Hammers defence which got them out of trouble. Then just as it looked like Letchworth were going to cut loose from a fine move in the middle of the pitch, Chris Gibbs’ pass was intercepted and tragedy for Legends as Hammersmith went over for a seven pointer. A well worked move gave the West London outfit a further five points, and then again as Letchworth attacked a breakaway try in the last 10 minutes sealed the score at 34/17. Letchworth attacked to the end but on this occasion only grit was to be their award and no tangible points.
Next week sees the semi-final of the intermediate cup at Charlton Park in South East London. There will be a 50 seater coach leaving Legends Lane at 10:45 and any spectators will be more than welcome - this is a free bus!
The second team took revenge from the previous week as they beat the Bishop Stortford thirds in a fine encounter on the top pitch.
Team from 1
ROBINSON
Allen
Turner
Flatman c
Brain
Jones
Stacey
Allison
HOWMAN
Johal J
Gurure
Lloyd
Johal Arun
Gibbs
Hunt
Charlier
De Nooijer
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