Sat 29 Feb 2020
Hendon produced their best performance of the season in this virtual “League Cup Final”
After not playing for 3 weeks from a home walkover followed by last week’s away unfit pitch, Hendon were on edge as perhaps not being match fit for this top of the League “Cup Final” clash against St. Albans, but Hendon coach Phil Smith had prepared the first team squad to shake off any early “rustiness” and attack from the backline from the start, with the forwards securing early possession. Commented Smith “To pick out any player from the squad was difficult as all played their best rugby so far, not only in attack, but all were outstanding in defence, that did not allow St. Albans a sniff at scoring anything; our line outs were also impressive with Rossa Dooley, Mike Culhane and Jake Dunne cleaning out from both throwers”.
Hendon’s first points came after 10 mins from a St. Albans penalty not finding touch, with Cian Hynes collecting to set up the Hendon backline to penetrate with fly half Rob Casey touching down for Hynes to convert for a 7-0 lead. Midfield attacks by both teams for the next 20 mins were well defended by both outfits until “Man of the Match” 2nd row Junior Farao , excelling with attacking carries, took on three defenders to crash over the St Albans whitewash out wide for a 12-0 score. Before the period came to a close, prop forward David Jenkins stopped St Albans in attack with some great recovery groundwork for the defence to clear.
Hendon had the strong wind advantage into the 2nd period to hold the visitors in their 22, with a forwards maul to the 5 metre line with scrum half Billy Burrell feeding winger Dan Watterson to finish off in the corner with a try 17-0. Minutes later, another Hendon maul in the St Albans 22 resulting in Ronan Jones scoring with Hynes converting and the League leaders were up 24-0. Halfway through the half, St Albans were penalised in mid field and Hynes long penalty put Hendon 10 metres out from the St. Albans line. The throw from hooker Rob Page to prop Larry Moore, allowed a smart blindside burst for him to score in the corner and Hendon were in a comfortable position of being 29-0 ahead. From the kick off Hendon’s backline of Chris Kiyingi, Toby Ikwueke and JT Moncher ran the pitch to set up the Hendon pack in further attempts to cross the St Albans line but repeated defensive penalties resulted in a penalty try to Hendon with 7pts to finish a great afternoon 36-0.
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