Sat 8 Feb 2020
Legends will have to wait another year to tred the hallowed turf at Twickers as they fell at the semi-final hurdle two games before the big one at HQ. Despite the heroics of the visitors featuring a 53-year-old prop at the coal face they could not recreate the last minute victory of last year against a very organised and workmanlike opposition who in ex-Blackheath starlet Vaki Antoniou possessed a winger of real class who did the main damage to Letchworth. With the scores at 13/8 after an hour and Legends knocking on the Park try line it seemed a win might be achievable but two late penalties sealed it for the south east London side. Indeed the concession of penalties was one of the main lessons for the visitors this week as they leaked fifteen against seven for Park over the eighty minutes.
On a day of winter sun and a brisk breeze these were great conditions for running rugby and neither side disappointed. Legends maybe made their best start of the season with a fine five minutes of possession mixing forwards and backs and stretching the Park defence. However having conceded five penalties to none at this stage Park eventually had a shot at goal and made no mistake to take a three nil lead. From the restart the home open side flanker Jake Conway took the ball and went on a fine run splitting the visitors defence and his offload to Antoniou in space meant there was only going to be one end result as he sped over in the corner to make it eight nil, the kick being missed.
However Legends, with skipper Sean Flatman to the fore, came storming back and the next ten minutes was all Letchworth. Willowy centre Daffyd Lloyd made some excellent runs and proved a real handful for the home side’s defence but the visitors conceded another penalty for crossing deep in the Park red zone. Minutes later Charlier took a great ball in the line out against the head and Lloyd was brought down just short of the line. Several drives later involving the forwards, including pocket battleship Oscar Robinson, saw the ball moving wide again and Lloyd this time plunged over a defenceless try line for a great five pointer. Unfortunately at this stage Letchworth lost one of their big ball carriers in Johnny Brain who had been feeling unwell all day and had managed only twenty five minutes. It must be said his replacement Lewis Jones did not deplete the side with his usual hard work and tackle rate. On the stroke of half-time his fellow flanker Harry Charlier, who again had another outstanding match for the Legends, made a fine break which saw a high tackle and a penalty which was converted by Jai Johal to tie the scores as the teams broke for the interval.
Once again after the break it was Letchworth who were dominant for the first few minutes. The Park wing who tried to run out of defence felt the full force of a creaming tackle by flying centre Arun Johal. However against the run of play Park broke out on the other side and Antoniou cut through several weak tackles to go over for what was to prove the decisive try. Legends pinned Park back in their 22 for a good 10 minutes but were unable to convert the pressure despite being right on the line. Having ventured into the Letchworth half, Park were awarded a penalty quite far out and remembering last years late comeback by the visitors opted to convert it with Tom Nightingale making no mistake. He added a further penalty to take things beyond the single score Letchworth needed to get back in it and they nearly went through again but were foiled by a fine tap tackle by Harvey Howman, who enjoyed another good outing at scrum half.
Both sides were warmly applauded at the final whistle by the large crowd of home supporters and visitors who had travelled on the coach for a fine day out. It must be added that the fare served up in Dublin and Murrayfield was not nearly as exciting or open as these two junior sides had provided for the afternoon.
Next week sees a really tough challenge for Legends on the road to old Deer Park, the home of London Welsh who only narrowly shaded the North Herts side at Legends Lane in October. Kick off is at two o’clock down in Richmond.
The 22nd of February sees the second leg of the battle of the garden cities and Letchworth are after revenge after going down at Welwyn earlier in the season. There will be a lunch beforehand for all former players who might like to attend and already the list is growing. If you want to come and bring some old friends and teammates contact Brian Burke on 07768 274037. The journey continues!
Team from 1:
Robinson
Hughes
Burgess
Flatman c
Brain
Mongston
Charlier
Allison
Howman
Johal J
Gibbs
Johal A
Lloyd
Gurure
Hall
Flack
Dennis
Jones
Davies
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