After a successful 16-17 season, which resulted in the award of Hitchin RFC Team of the Year, along with a promotion from Merit Table 3, "Los Dos" wanted to start entered their 2017/18 MT2 campaign against an age old foe, Weston RFC. In our fourth fixture within a year against our local rivals, the 2xv were looking to avenge the league and plate final defeats, two of which came by a solitary point.
A strong week for selection resulted in 4 team members "taking the knee" to ensure we met league rules on squad numbers. Many thanks to Dave Wright, Steve Ward, Tom Smith and Will Cadwallen - I hope you took advantage of your boozy compensation!
Inclement weather presented slippery conditions, and it was clear from our thorough warm up that it was a day to stick the ball up the shirt and use our numerous strike runners to earn territory for our speedy back line. After losing a conker-based toss, Hitchin kicked off into the drizzle. Early territory forced a penalty which Alfie "The Sexy Mexican" Burkett slotted with ease. Weston returned with interest to level the scores mid-way through the first half. More midfield battling presented a penalty at 35 yards, Alfredo narrowly missing the target. A greasy ball caused a number of knock-ons, and Hitchin began to dominate the scrum, with Will Sale on his competitive debut causing trouble for whatever Prop was put in front of him (including the intimidating frame of the one and only Paul Kaiser). The wiley veteran quartet of Benucci, Brooks, Bellamy and Lord started to punch holes at will, earning precious yards in the battle for ground. A penalty on the 22 was tapped to Captain Ax, proving the redundancy of his moniker "Swerve" by barrelling in a rule straight line, approaching the 5. Recycled ball and some magical Gaelic footwork from Patrick "Gordon" Simpkin earned space for Dom"inator" Davitt (also on his competitive debut) to cross the whitewash on 30 minutes, unconverted for a 5 point lead. Much attritional to-and-fro ensued, with no further scores before half-time.
A composed team-talk at the break set the tone for the second half - calm heads in attack, continued fire in defence and deference to the referee's adjudications would pave the path to victory. Substitutions took place, notably Richard "I can't lift a cow" Chennells making his bow on the flank. As Ax averted the furious touchline glare of Ed "first-half hero" Bellamy, the second 40 commenced.
Fitness clearly started to fail your author at this point, as the timeline started to become a little fuzzy in my memory. When my eyes weren't under a prop's armpit, or focused on Reece's knees, I remember:
Increasing dominance in midfield, Joe "Raging Bull" Benucci and Karl "Piggy Brooks" starting to wreak havoc;
The back line really starting to click, directed by Will "The new Mel" Evans, Alfie and Paddy; the latter on a one-man mission to break the midfield to smithereens. Ryan "God" Godfrey took to his new berth at 15 like a champ, running riot on his last appearance before heading to Uni;
Scrums going uncontested at 50 mins, meaning no fun for Pinesy when he replaced James "Bitchburn" Ditchburn shortly thereafter;
Reece "Wingspan" Adams starting to disturb the Weston lineout, whenever his legs were lift-ably dry.
Excellent play in the back line was rewarded when Evans made a 20 yard break, sitting down a Westonian before expertly finishing in the corner, extending the lead to 10 points.
Continuous attacking pressure from Weston earned ball deep in Hitchin territory, slow ball from a ruck on the 5 passed to their outstanding 13 to punch through for a deserved 5 points, converted to reduce the lead to 3. Our opponents are a well-drilled, skilled, dogged opponent, which we knew from the outset. At this point, how both teams respond becomes all important.
Hitchin take the game to their opponents, aggressive in attack and defence, forcing errors from the Weston backline. First (or maybe second) a barrage of phase play takes them close to the Weston line, forcing foul play which results in a 7 point penalty try - learn those new rules lads! Then (or perhaps before) a well-executed backs move in midfield finds Burkett in space, a last man tap tackle bringing him down 15 yards out. Retained possession works its way to Benucci, proving unstoppable and earning his richly deserved try, expertly converted by Burkett. 27-10.
Godfrey was clearly eager to beat the traffic to Chichester, ending his farewell appearance 8 minutes from time with his customary 2xv yellow card. Twinned with a terrible decision from yours truly to take a scrum from a penalty inside our own 22, with expected consequences, would Weston get back into the game? No, the Hitchin defence defiantly replied. For that last 10 minutes, attack after attack was quelled. When a first line of defence was breached, the team worked for each other to recover. When ball was turned over, Hitchin sensibly cleared their lines, trusting their team mates to continue heroically defending their line. Time was up and it looked like Weston would finally strike, when a wide pass was spilt and Davitt fly-hacked up the pitch. "To touch", our exhausted lungs and cramping legs screamed, but nay, he continued his rampage until, mercifully, the Weston captain decided enough was enough and put the ball into touch. Hitchin have the all important W!
Post-match talk revolved around the pride at that last 10 minutes. Yes there is work to be done (2 training sessions a week lads), yes we left points out there. But great seasons can be built on the spirit shown in our defence, twinned with our undoubted skill and developing team understanding when in possession. We head back to the changing rooms in high spirits for a sing-song and to enjoy Benucci's "Golden Hello".
Another epic match against our friends at Weston, finally in our favour. Congratulations to all involved, from club stalwarts, to welcome new additions, to our sizeable touchline support. Finchley await next Saturday. Vamos Los Dos!
Ax
Team James Akrill, James Ditchburn, William sale, Reece Adams, Joff Lord, Joe Benucci, Karl Brooks, Edward Bellamy, William Evans, Alfie Burkett, Billy Vernon-Hamilton, Patrick Simpkin, Dominic Davitt, Jack Powell, Ryan Godfrey
Subs John Pines, Tennison , Paul James Marvell, Richard Chennells, Tim Rainey
Scores 
The league: Herts Mddx Merit Table