Hendon were first out of the blocks scoring a converted try
within five minutes and they went further ahead with a penalty with a quarter
of the match gone.
Hitchin had previously turned down two penalty opportunities,
but now
struck back with Ben Wiggins converting two within five
minutes.
A good run out of
defence was rewarded with a penalty which the visitors kicked for a lineout 20m
out from the Hendon line. The forwards
secured the ball and James Bolter crossed the line for an unconverted try, to
gain a one-point lead at half time
Going up the slope in the second half Hitchin went further
ahead with a penalty by Wiggins.
Hendon struck back with a converted try from a catch and
drive from a lineout 5 metres out.
Now in the last quarter of the match, a quickly taken penalty was completed by Adam Shaw going over wide out for an unconverted try.
With ten minutes to go Shaw intercepted a Hendon pass and
sprinted to score his second try, converted by Wiggins.
The icing was put on the cake when the forwards, who had been
dominant throughout, disrupted a Hendon ruck and the ball spilled over their
line for Stuart West to pounce for an unconverted try.
This was not a particularly polished performance but, as last
week, three tries were scored in the closing 15 minutes, to gain a valuable bonus point victory
Team Sean McGinnity, James Bolter, Stuart West, Ryan Arbon, Jonathan Welsford, Sam Willoughby, Ruiri Shanahan, Armel Baufume, Daniel Wiggins, Ben Wiggins, William Rooney, Carwyn Morgan, Harry Cartwright, Eric Hall, Alistair Southward
Subs Adam Shaw, Dale Baines, James Akrill
Scores T: Adam Shaw (2), James Bolter (1), Stuart West (1)
C: Ben Wiggins (1)
P: Ben Wiggins (3)
The league: Herts/Middlesex 1