Saturday 4th December 2021
London League 3 North West
Hendon RFC 36-8 St. Albans RFC
Wildman’s first try sets up Hendon to take control of this match and maintain their top spot in the League
St. Albans started with the full advantage of the Hendon slope and a strong following wind to score first points as a defensive error let their speedy right winger in for a simple try. This was followed by the St. Albans' heavier forwards driving through the midfield but without success as Hendon’s defence took control. However, an offside on 15 minutes gave the away outfit a long penalty kick to push the score to nil points to eight.
Hendon then pushed up-field from a long kick by Captain Cian Hynes and from the line-out won by Mike Culhane a maul towards the St Albans' line was stopped and Hendon awarded the scrum. Scrum half “Dobby” Wildman dummied his pass to run from the 22 to score an individual unconverted try bringing the score closer at 5-8.
Hendon continued their uphill onslaught and from another driving maul just inside St. Albans' territory, followed by another Hynes penalty kick to touch to within 5 metres Hendon played an all in maul with winger “Jibbs” Oki joining at No 8 to collect and score as Hendon crossed the try line. Hynes converted and Hendon were ahead at the turn round at 12 points to 8.
Into the second period and with the wind and slope now in favour of Hendon, St. Albans faced the well drilled home team. It was Wildman again that orchestrated the next score from a 22 metre scrum by sending winger Will Thacker on a solo burst on the left wing to score with Hynes converting from the touchline to push Hendon further ahead 19-8.
It was now all Hendon at every position as centre Dragos Ciocan intercepted a long defensive pass on the St. Albans 22 to score another Hynes converted try taking the score out to 26-8.
Hendon maintained the forward pressure with another maul onto the line with Marius Von Moltke taking control to touch down out wide 31-8. Into the closing minute another run through the centre by winger JT Moncher from an interception offloaded to Thacker to score his second try of the day and finish off a bonus point league match leaving Hendon six points clear at the top.
Hendon Coach Phil Smith was again delighted with his team's performance but is now looking to strengthen his squad for the next half of the season going into 2022 and perhaps the season to come with another possible step up the leagues.
He commented “Many players who did not return for this season may now wish to come back in the New Year and a warm welcome awaits them and, of course, new players at our clubhouse and the excellent training facility of Saracens StoneX Stadium”.
