Sat 25 Sep 2021
Rugby returned at full tilt to Legends Lane on Saturday and the home side did not disappoint the large crowd in a game that was competitive throughout and the visitors were in with a shout for two thirds of the match.
The day started with the players receiving their new shirts from ex-Chairman Dave Sharp whose firm DB Sharp and Co are generously sponsoring the entire kit for the club in a deal brokered over the Summer. “It’s good to put something back in to this club as it goes from success to success” said the building firms managing director.
Taking to the field in their smart new kit Legends, under the leadership of Scott Quarnby as Liam Fitts had been side lined with Covid , attacked from the first minute and a flowing move ended with a touch down for full back Chris Gibbs, the first of his hat trick. Minutes later blindside flanker Alex “Lenny” Lennon broke from the back of a lineout and stormed sixty metres down the field only to be brought down close to the try line. Support soon arrived and again Gibbs was at the end of the move for his second, well converted by Hem Johal. Another great burst down the middle by Lennon saw fellow back rower Luke Mongston to hand to score the third and the bonus point try was achieved after several scrum penalties near the Datchworth line and fly half Hem Johal cleverly dummied the defence to go over without a hand being laid on him.
To add to Datchworth’s woes one of their forwards was carded for a late tackle. However this ushered in the best section of the game for the visitors. They were unlucky not to go over before half time where stout defence frustrated them but they controlled the opening fifteen minutes of the second half when Letchworth could not get hold of the ball and the home side’s frustration showed as Luke Mongston received ten minutes on the naughty step.
Datchworth’s first score came from a scrum penalty exploiting the blind side and then another fine move saw another score in the corner. At 24/12 it looked like it could be “game on” for the visitors and they certainly had their tails up. The crowds jitters were soon removed as Letchworth woke like a sleeping giant. Burly centre Vinnie Kevans bullocked through the centre to find lock Tommy Wilcock on his shoulder, Mongston took the ball on and again that man Gibbs was at the end of the move for his hat trick.
With the threat of an upset receding Letchworth dominated for the final fifteen minutes. Another great move involving Lennon saw Dan Duke crash over and a blind side move a few minutes later saw speedy winger Wilkins go over for the final score of the game which had been most entertaining though maybe not as one sided as the score suggested. Chris Gibbs was awarded his Legends Colours tie for his exceptional performance and Lennon must have come close. Head coach Baz Basra said “This was far more like it this week and encouraging with several key players missing. We must now go on and win on the road at Grasshoppers in their thirteen million pound stadium next week!”
The lively third fifteen also had a result on the second pitch over coming Welwyn GC in a friendly.
After eighteen months it was great to feel the lively buzz in the clubhouse and the singing of old songs as dark and mist descended.
Pictured is Dave Sharp presenting the new shirts to the first team. As you look at the picture, hat trick hero Chris Gibbs is to his right.
