Sat 23 Oct 2021
A bonus point win on the road is always gratifying especially on the syrupy pitch down at Hackney. Although they hold up the bottom of the table they still made things difficult for a Legends side showing several changes from last week. In the end scrum dominance - especially in the first half - and classier back play along with Hackney’s indiscipline (3 yellow cards to Legends 1) meant it was a comfortable if not overally satisfying win for the Legends. Hackney kept coming back for more even if they only registered one try.
The home side had the best of the first ten minutes till Letchworth drove up the field. Joe Allison broke through and fed Arun Johal who in turn released Tattinde Gurere who crossed the whitewash for Letchworth’s first. The try remained unconverted but fly half Dan Duke nudged Legends ahead with a penalty before Hackney replied with one of their own. In the second half of the first forty minutes Letchworth took the game by the scruff of the neck and effectively won it in this period. They pounded the Hackney line and Scott Quarnby looked like he’d scored but Hackney paid with a yellow card. Letchworth took advantage from another penalty. A great drive and offload by Conor Turner before the ball went out to Duke and Johal sending Gurere in for his second. This time Duke converted from near the touch line. Then to add to Hackney’s woes no sooner had their flanker returned than their fly half received ten minutes. Another great drive and lineout win by Liam Fitts saw rumbustious hooker ‘Rambo’ Hughes in to make in 3/20 at half time.
Hackney came out with real determination and nearly crossed the Letchworth line from the restart. However the North Herts side recovered and a flowing move involving Mongston, who entered the fray from the bench, fed speedy centre Arun Johal who went over for a try and Duke added the conversion. However Hackney reduced the arrears with a good driving try of their own. Any hopes of a revival were snuffed out as Joe Allison made a great break and Gurere fed Johal for his second. Despite having plenty of possession late on the home side could make no inroads on the Legends defence and a quick penalty from Chris Gibbs caught everyone on the hop as he scooted through for a seven pointer leaving the final score at 10/39 and the home side licking their wounds.
Letchworth can be pleased with the bonus point win but will need to perform a few gears higher against stiffer opponents in Fullerians next Saturday. There is a lunch before the three o’clock kick off. All potential diners please contact Brian BURKE on 07768274037
Letchworth try scorer Tattinde Gurere
