Sat 1 May 2021, 15:00
After the long Lockdown, Rugby 15s were once again underway at Hendon in the 1st round of local fixtures organised by David Gershlick and Craig Silver and including Kilburn Cosmos, Finchley and Enfield Ignatians.
Rugby is currently restricted, to minimise contact and possible infection, to play under Adapted Laws that prohibit scrums and mauls. However, line-outs and tackling can still be played with players able to contest the ball throughout the game with 20 minute water and cleansing breaks.
Both Clubs agreed to play rolling replacements allowing all available club players to benefit from the experience, leaving only the injured watching enviously on the side-line.
It was a magnificent afternoon with fast running, well defended rugby being played by both teams and in the first period Hendon were forced to defend as Kilburn played down the slope, but after 15 minutes the home outfit attacked for the first time with Hendon winger Will Theaker crossing over to score out wide after a slick backline move. With the conversion going wide Hendon led 5-0. Now settled, Hendon were on attack after weathering that early Kilburn onslaught. Hendon stand-off Rob Casey crashed through three defenders to be tackled on the Kilburn 5 metre line just short as another possible try was stopped by Kilburn as Hendon were judged to be offside in the ruck. Then further runs by Casey, Theaker and JT Moncher were all stopped for the half time score to remain at 5-0.
Throughout the game, in a great all round defensive play, backrows Rossa Dooley and new to the Club, South African Marius von Moltke, were stars with repeated tackles. New Australian prop Mitchell Hammond, although denied front row scrummaging showed his ability with many carries into attack. Coming on as replacements, young newcomers to Hendon Rugby were prop Hadi Al Bassam, who damaged his shoulder when stopped just short of the try line, and Malcolm Hokoza.
From the second half downhill restart, Hendon attacked after a defensive error by Kilburn was exploited giving backrow Ronan Jones the opportunity to crash through several tackles to score a try, converted by Captain on the day Cian Hynes for Hendon to take a 12-0 lead.
Into the last 10 minutes, Hendon were down to 14 players as a yellow card was given for repeated team offences at the breakdown but still Hendon attacked with another great run by winger Theaker from midfield to the visitors 22 offloading to Chris Kiyingi to score the final try converted by Hynes, for a deserved 19-0 final score in this friendly fixture between local Clubs.
DoR and Head Coach Phil Smith commented “I am very pleased with the solid defence which we have been working hard on in training and particularly with the performance of the players new to Hendon. I look forward to them playing a role in the Club when Leagues and Merit Tables commence next season; in the meantime they are bedding in well and of course we have the prospect of other new players joining us over the summer."
Should any of our supporters and sponsors know of players (men or women) new to the Hendon area wishing to join a progressive and very sociable North London club, which trains at Saracens StoneX Stadium every Wednesday during the season, please get them to contact us at play@hendonrugby.com
NEXT SATURDAY WE WILL BE PLAYING OUR FRIENDS AND RIVALS FINCHLEY AT THEIR GROUND IN SUMMERS LANE N12 0PD
KICK OFF 1500
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