Sat 11 Jan 2020
Hendon play their best Rugby of the Season in the first half up the slope.
What appears on the score card as one way traffic was not the case as the Wasps outfit were formidable opposition for the opening league match of 2020.
From the onset, Hendon were camped in the Wasps 22 and repeated efforts by the Hendon forwards were kept from scoring by the defending Wasps for 10 mins until prop forward Luke Pollard found the whitewash to score a try out wide 5-0. Under attack again Wasps now used the following wind and slope to their advantage by kicking long but not finding touch as Cian Hynes and Dan Watterson collected to run back into attack denying the Wasps possession to attack the Hendon line. Halfway through the period it was another collect and break by Chris Kiyingi to the Wasps 22 passing to No 8 Donal O’Sullivan for winger Will Theaker to again score out wide 10-0. Hendon maintained their attack but Wasps defended well and it was not until the ½ hour that Watterson scored from a brilliant run by fly half Rob Casey to push Hendon ahead 15-0. The bonus point try came from Will Theaker as he collected on the Hendon 22 as Hendon defended, saw the gap in the Wasps attack and ran the pitch to score his second of the day 20-0. Quick thinking by Captain Hynes with a midfield tap penalty just before the break, carried through the defence to let loose Casey to score with Hynes converting 27-0. Hendon were now totally in control as 2nd row Junior Farao showed his strength with a carry from 10 metres to power over the whitewash with 3 defenders attached to score a Hynes converted try for a turnaround lead of 34-0.
Hendon now with a comfortable lead, the slope and the wind somehow let the 2nd half initiative go to the visitors before regrouping. Although Theaker added his 3rd try with another wingers run with Hynes converting from the touchline 41-0, it was Wasps that now camped in Hendon territory for 20 mins but great defence especially from Man of the Match Rossa Dooley stopped all attempts leaving the visitors to “scratch their heads” for a way through. Almost on the ½ hour Hynes led the way back with a run from defence stopped on the Wasps 5 line but returning player Mike Culhane was on hand to finish off to score 46-0. Next on the score sheet was O’Sullivan who finished off a driving maul on the 3rd attempt and Hendon’s score went to 51 pts. To finish the rout it was the combination again of a Kiyingi break to Theaker for his 4th try of the afternoon and a well deserved score of 56-0 pts.
Commented Captain Hynes after the match, “an incredible performance for the team as we improve match by match with fitness and rugby skills from our training at Allianz Park; there is still some way to go for the season but the whole squad is determined to see it through."
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