Sat 9 Nov 2019
As expected Hendon were put to the test in one of their hardest matches so far this season.
Thamesians took the advantage in the first 10 minutes with the rain and wind to their backs added to the Hendon slope as they pinned the home outfit into their own 22, but Hendon’s defence held out until a backline move from defence saw fullback Dan Watterson join the line to crash through the spread out Thames defence to score his own converted try to put Hendon into the lead 7 points to nil.
On the restart Thamesians again dominated, but with Hendon defending hard but narrowly, a cross field kick over the Hendon defence saw the visitor's wing collect and score and even up the score at 7-7.
On 30 minutes Hendon a penalty kick to touch by Watterson gave a line out on the Thamesians 10 metre line. This was won by Rossa Dooley to set up a maul taking them up the pitch to the Thames five metre line with prop forward Nick Andrews breaking off and diving through to score a try for a halftime score of 12 points to 7.
From the restart it was Hendon's turn to pin the visitors in their own 22. Thamesians defended well with but a clearing kick up field was collected by Hendon winger Will Theaker passing to Watterson to cut back on the wing to score his second try in the corner taking the lead to 17-7.
Ten minutes later the well drilled Hendon pack led by Captain Mike Culhane took control with an impressive rolling maul with Andrews once again breaking through to score his second try of the day,and Hendon's fourth to secure a bonus point. Watterson converted and the score was now 24-7 to Hendon.
In the wet conditions the match became a forwards' dominated affair which Hendon controlled. Midway through the second period it was the turn of 2nd row Junior Faroa to score from another driving maul with Watterson converting to add to his own tally of 16points as Hendon clocked up a final score of 31 points to 7.
Away at Biggleswade the 2nd XV returned to their winning ways in the Herts/Middlesex Merit Table with a close fought victory of eight points to 12.
This Saturday 16th November Hendon 1st XV visit St Albans who sit in second place in the Herts/Middlesex League with equal League points to Hendon but behind on points difference. The match will most certainly be a test of the two top sides with St Albans starting as favourites at home and looking to return to the higher league of London 3 NW with Hendon pushing all the way.
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