Sat 4 Jan 2020
Letchworth stormed into the regional semi-finals of this cup competition with a great win over a feisty Diss side at Baldock Road on Saturday. Just as their counterparts in soccer provided thrills and spills in the FA cup competition that was happening simultaneously around the country so, though to a lesser but no less fervent crowd, these two sides served up an absolute corker with the lead seesawing right up to the last quarter when the younger Legends team took a definitive lead against their more experienced though tiring East Anglian visitors. Back in the day when both teams were in London 1 there was fierce rivalry on the pitch and great bonhomie off it and it was good to see this continuing afterwards with the visitors sporting their distinctive blue and while party hats in the clubhouse and many a pint supped in memory of the old days.
The young Letchworth back line contained three of the Johal clan - Arun, Aman and Jai - but on this occasion it was new full back Joe Hall, late of Albanians, who really caught the eye as a class act. The forwards also worked well to provide their rapier like backs with a good supply of ball. However the first quarter saw some real lethargy from the home side as several key tackles were missed and it seemed Letchworth rather than Diss had undergone the two hour coach journey as the visitors scored an early try.
However they were caught offside just in their own half and Johal steadied things with a long range penalty. The rest of the half was pretty even until a pass from Gibbs to Arun Johal saw a great break and an offload to cousin Aman who dived over and the conversion made it 10/5 at half time.
It was hammer and tongs for the next fifteen until veteran winger Beirde went over for a great score for the Norfolk side and despite Letchworth retaking the lead with another Johal penalty to make it 13/12 after sixty two minutes they scored a further seven pointer to put them ahead 19/13 and seemingly in control.
However, Legends rallied and a great drive by the forwards from five metres saw a try awarded, the scorer being Oscar Robinson, and the conversion saw Legends snatch back the lead. Having worked the ball upfield it was skipper Jonny Brain who now barrelled over to put matters at 25/19 after 70 minutes. The last word belonged to Joe Hall as the dashing full back cut through the Diss defence to score a fine final try in the corner.
Although Diss attacked for the final five minutes at the end it was Letchworth who took the spoils and their name goes into the hat for Wednesday’s draw and a step nearer Twickenham.
Next week Dave Hynard and Jaggi Johal’s men see renewed league action with a tough trip to Fullerians. Then on the 18th there is a home game against Chiswick and a league lunch beforehand at 12 30. All potential diners should contact BRIAN on 07768 274037 to book their places.
Team:
Robinson
Allen
Turner
Schoeman
Brain
Jones
Stacey
Allison
Gibbs
Johal J
Kitson
Lloyd
Johal Aman
Johal Arun
Hall
Khalid
Albon
Charlier
Brierley
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