Sat 2 Oct 2021
On what was a filthy day Hendon 2’s overcame a very tenacious St Albans side. The weather didn’t allow a fast free flowing game so it descended into a forward's battle. The Hendon pack performed heroics against a much bigger St Albans' pack and Helio Vincente Hendon’s number 8 deserves a special mention securing Hendon ball from the back of a retreating scrum.
The deadlock was broken just before half time when after a tap penalty Roman bundled over from close range to score. Faz Hendon’s fly half made the conversion to take the lead at seven points to nil.
The second half continued to be a scrappy affair with ill discipline costing both sides territory. Hendon again broke the deadlock scoring from one of the few times the backs got clean quick ball with Dan Evans avoiding the tackle on the 22 and sprinting in to score and again Faz made the conversion.
St Albans made a concerted effort to get back in the game but came up against a resilient Hendon defence which held out for long periods with only sporadic attacks mainly strong running from Shane Parr playing his first ever game of rugby which performance earned him man of the match.
St Albans finally scored in the corner with just minutes left and when the conversion was missed the game was Hendon’s 14-5
Mike Head the 2nd XV coach said after the game "That was an heroic display from the Hendon forwards today: in open play they had the beating of a much bigger pack and as a team all the boys put in a massive shift. I was very proud of them today and feel this is the start of something very good."
He had a special mention to the Middlesex University boys who this weekend turned up to the inaugural Freshers Rugby Camp held at the club.
"They had a fun introductory training session on Friday night then again on Saturday morning before playing a “friendly” game against a very good Hendon Vets team. Some good rugby was played by both sides despite the weather with the Vets coming out marginally on top but good fun was had by all"
Aiden 'Soppy' Power the 2nds captain said "We always knew how tough the fixture would be , but the intensity and passion of the boys was formidable! Forwards stood their ground against a much bigger pack, and the backs still managed to run their moves in terrible conditions! One of the best performances I have seen for Hendons 2s in years, St Albans were always our bogey team and the belief to beat them now sets out our foundations for the year!"
