Saturday 16th October 2021
London League 3 North West
Hendon RFC 29 - 14 Cheshunt RFC
Hendon resolve early mistakes to end playing best rugby so far this season.
Determined to make amends for the loss last week from kick off Hendon were on the offensive playing up the slope but excellent Cheshunt defence kept the home side from scoring. Midway through the first period it was in broken play that the ball was gathered by Cheshunt in their own 22 to move down the slope finally scoring from a push over maul 0-7.
Another attack by Hendon orchestrated by Jack Ryan on the wing put Hendon again into the Cheshunt 22, who conceded two penalties, both kickable for three points. However the decision to kick for touch with the intent to score a try was again stopped by Cheshunt with the ball being knocked on wide out and kicked down the pitch allowing the visitors to follow up and gain a further seven points against the run of play to make the half time score 0 - 14.
However, in the second half after a rethink on tactics by Hendon coach Phil Smith and within two minutes of the restart, Hendon were camped on the Cheshunt try line with a maul; the emerging ball was collected by scrum half Ross Williams to No10 Rob Casey on the burst to score a Cian Hynes converted try to bring Hendon back to 7-14.
Hendon by now were the better team with the scrum now pushing their heavier opposition backwards with prop forward Nick Andrews playing in the second row prominent in both the tight and loose to be named Man of the Match.
Several attempts were made to cross the Cheshunt line with Hendon conceding a penalty which did not find touch and was collected by Will Theaker to run from halfway mark to the Cheshunt 5 metre only to be stopped just short. However, from the maul Hendon’s returning 2nd row Jake Dunne picked up to score out wide to close Hendon in at 12-14.
From the restart back row Rossa Dooley broke through the now tiring Cheshunt forwards to set up the Hendon backline with Robby Burrell being stopped short. From the resultant scrum to Cheshunt, the Hendon front five pushed again for No8 Chris Kiyingi to pick up and score in the corner for Hendon to go into a well deserved lead at 17-14.
With ten minutes to go the action was all Cheshunt defending against some excellent backline moves from the home outfit with Theaker finishing in the corner to push the score to 22-14.
In the closing minutes a surprise surge up the Hendon slope by Cheshunt was successfully defended allowing Burrell to kick the ball back to the Cheshunt 22 metre line. The return kick was charged down by centre Tom Mathias and Kiyingi in support gathered the ball and scored his second try of the match which was converted by Burrell to finish the game with a win for Hendon 29 points to 14.
Hendon forwards' coach Jim Dickin after the game said "we had to make changes in the pack this week because of injuries in the front five but against opposition which we knew would be heavier and well drilled our forwards took control, particularly in the second half, which allowed the backs to play and gave the foundation for the victory"
Hendon are now placed fourth in the League and this Saturday Hendon travel north to Welwyn, who are one place below them. Kick off 1500.
Herts/Middlesex Merit Table Three
Hertford 4th XV 14 - 0 Hendon 2nd XV
Hendon lose out in a hard fought match against a strong Hertford side.
Despite some good moments from Hendon notably in the lineout which they dominated throughout the game, ultimately it was not enough to secure the win.
Hendon had plenty of chances in the first half but always seemed to make a mistake at the wrong time. As the half went on Hertford gradually came into the game more and more with a dominant scrum and some powerful forward play eventually leading to a converted try just before half time.
The second half saw Hertford still dominate but an excellent defensive display particularly from Malcom Hokoza whose tackling all over the pitch earned him man of the match, kept the score to just seven behind but eventually the pressure told and a lapse of concentration led to a converted try and a 14 - 0 win for Hertford.
Coach Mike Head said "A disappointing day today, the lads toiled away without much success. I felt this was a game we could have won and even though we struggled in the scrum we were good elsewhere but didn’t capitalise on our opportunities. The spirit of the team was excellent as always. I hope to see as many as possible at training on Wednesday to iron out some of the difficulties we faced."
Captain Aiden 'Soppy' Power said "This was a tough game away to Hertford. We always knew they were a physical team and they lived up to their reputation! Hendon had full control in the first 10 minutes but weren't clinical enough to put points on the board and a couple of lapses in concentration cost us two tries. We look forward to welcoming Hertford back to Hendon for another battle."
