Sat 16 Nov 2019
Hendon after a brilliant start defended to a man to claim the win in their hardest yet game of the season against second placed St Albans.
Hendon were awarded a penalty from the kick off as the receiver was tackled whilst still in the air to allow Dan Watterson to kick a long penalty into St Albans' territory. From the line-out Hendon forwards mauled several times to the five metre line with scrum half Billy Burrell going on the blind side to score out wide for a four minute lead 0-5.
The home outfit found it difficult to get themselves into the game as Hendon capitalised on their nervous start with another driving maul from half way to the St Albans' 22 with Hendon 2nd row Vytantas Pavilonis breaking clear, brushing aside two tackles to score a try converted by Watterson for a clear lead of nil to 12 in just the 12th minute.
Hendon with a two score platform were then put to task as St. Albans rallied their heavier forwards to dominate the visitors in the set scrums and to push Hendon back to their 22. Then from a penalty line-out St Albans spread the ball wide, created an overlap and scored in the corner mid way through the period to close in at 5 point to 12. With minutes to half time another forward attack from the home team had been neutralised by Hendon until a gap appeared to allow them to score a converted try and draw level to turn round at 12-12.
Hendon again started fast and minutes into the second period a break from defence by Hendon 2nd row forward Junior Farao fed the ball on the home 10 metre line to winger Will Theaker to carry to the opposition 22 then passed to Burrell to score a brilliant breakaway try converted by Watterson. Hendon were now back in the lead at 12 points to 19.
It was then superb Hendon defence by the entire Hendon squad, including a try saving tackle by backrow Donal O’Sullivan and another by captain Toby Ikwueke, that kept the St Albans' forwards, who camped most of the time inside the Hendon 22, from a further score with very few attacking moves coming from the visitors.
It was nail biting into the last few minutes before a backline mistake by St Albans allowed winger Will Theaker to collect on the Hendon 10 metre line to sprint down the pitch only to be stopped on the St Albans' five metre line with a high tackle. Three points was an easy option but the bonus point for a 4th try was attempted but stopped and Hendon came away with a much deserved 4 points league win at 12 point to 19 to stay unbeaten at the top of the League.
In the meantime Hendon’s 2nd XV gained a 32 point to six Merit League win against a strong Southgate 1st team with tries from Linale, Ryan, Vincente, Redmond and Captain Aiden Power.
Commented Hendon Coach Phil Smith, “ I am delighted to see the moves and tactics practised at our training sessions on Wednesday evenings at Saracens' Allianz Park allowing both teams to enjoy and win matches in style"
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