Saturday 6th November 2021
London League 3 North West
Royston RFC 30 - 26 Hendon RFC
Hendon Held Up on Final Whistle
This was a poor afternoon by Hendon standards that allowed Royston to take the early upper hand. Then attempting to close off for a narrow win, time ran out but Hendon still came away with 2 valuable League points.
Into a strong wind, Hendon battled with the elements in the opening 20 minutes allowing Royston to take advantage with long kicks to the Hendon's 22 giving them attacking options to go two tries up at 12-0.
Tactics dictated that Hendon must keep the ball in hand as the forwards drove into the wind releasing Will Thacker on the blindside to crash through the defence to score in the corner with Jack Ryan converting 12-7.
However, Hendon conceded two further scores as an offside penalty was converted by Royston taking them further ahead at 15-7. Then from another long defensive kick as Hendon’s backline attack broke down, Royston backs scored to go further ahead 22-7. Whilst the Hendon forwards looked to be on top it was Royston who had worked the elements to their advantage.
Into the second half and almost immediately from the Royston restart they were rewarded with a penalty 25-7.
Captain Mike Culhane rallied his troops and led by example as now Hendon took to the boot with long kicks from Ryan and Dragos Ciocan. From the next attacking line out Rossa Dooley collected to set up a maul from the Royston 22 with Culhane scoring as Hendon forwards pushed over, Ryan converted and Hendon were back in the game at 25-14.
However, Royston came back from the restart to outrun the Hendon defence to score in the corner and with the score now at 30-14, it seemed too far to come back.
Into the last period of the match it was all Hendon with Culhane scoring his second try in the corner after a backrow move from TJ O’Sullivan and Dooley they drew closer at 30 points to 19.
With seven minutes remaining and as Royston were penalised Hendon forwards Mitch Hammond, Nick Andrews drove through the Royston defence and again Culhane dropped to score with Ciocan converting at 30-26.
Now it was whether Hendon pull off the win as the Referee called last play with Hendon winning a five metre scrum to push for the line. After a number of attempts O’Sullivan found his way over the try line but was held up by the excellent Royston defence which denied the visitors a win. However Hendon collected two League points for scoring four tries and being within seven match points of the winners to remain third in the table.
A disappointed DoR Phil Smith said "whilst I am really pleased with the comeback, in those early few minutes we did not play the elements well and were from then always trying to play catch up and just couldn't get a firm grip on the game. We picked up another front row injury and our resources are stretched for next week against OMTs."
Hendon Vets 25 points UCS Old Boys Vets 10 points
Hendon turned up with another strong squad, welcoming some faces not seen in a Hendon shirt for many years. UCS who are a regular vets outfit brought the game to Hendon right from the off. But Hendon matched their aggression and started to take the fight to them.
David Connell made an early break and found himself in the open field but was caught just outside the 22.
The first half was mostly an attrition battle with big carries and big tackles from both teams and it took a penalty kicked into the corner which was taken down and driven over the line to give Hendon the lead just before half time. When the bodies got up Tony Connor was the man on the ball.
After the break Hendon had the hill in their favour and they started to exert their dominance with big forward running and offloads which eventually ground the opposition down.
Tony Connor made a break and was only just run down however Cosmos Mutuma was on his shoulder to take the ball and beat the fullback to score in the corner.
After that Hendon grew in confidence and began to dominate all over the pitch. This led to further tries from Tommy Middleton, Anthony Redmond and another try for Tony Connor in a second half dominated by Hendon Vets.
It was Hendon's green wall and scramble defence which won the day, so much so that UCS we're given a non try by the referee in the last few minutes in keeping with the spirit of the game and they then managed to work another try right at the death.
Vets' organiser Cosmos Mutuma said "it was great to be back playing again with so many old friends. In this our second match we showed that the skills were still there as well as determination. We are all looking forward to our next outing and anyone wishing to join us who is eligible should email me on henchmo@live.co.uk or through our Facebook page."
