Cheshunt Rugby

Division 3 – Saracens Herts / Middlesex Junior League.

Match Report

Cheshunt under 15’s completed their league season with a difficult away win at Ampthill
by 27 – 14 yesterday. This win confirmed their unbeaten status and with maximum
bonus points in the Division they can now look forward to playing rugby in
Division 2 next Season.

On a very hard and dry pitch with not much grass, the match always appeared to be in
Cheshunt’s control without them scoring the points their dominance warranted.
Once again the forwards were winning the ball in good positions all over the
pitch and following a good drive Dan Formoso crossed the line to score in the
corner. Ampthill hit back immediately and scored a well worked try from their
winger who ran in to score under the posts which was converted to leave them
leading by 7-5 very much against the run of play.

Cheshunt were still overall controlling the game and top try scorer Peter Dodsworth
scored yet another superb try to retake the lead as the match became a midfield
battle littered with handling mistakes from both sides. The try was converted
by Johnno Wicks and so the scored remained at 12-7 to Cheshunt at half time.

Coach Mark Standing made a number of changes for the second half and this paid
immediate dividends, as Karl Garside once again demonstrated his powerful
running to hand off several defenders before touching down in the corner to
increase Cheshunt’s lead to ten points. Ampthill though continued to press forward
and only a brilliant last ditch flying tackle from Sean Freeman stopped them
scoring again. Sean then moved forward, took a great pass from a controlled
Cheshunt ruck and sprinted past their defence to score his first try of the
season.

The game was still very fragmented and with ten minutes to play, Ampthill were
awarded a penalty try under the posts following a number of small infringements
close to the Cheshunt try line which was easily converted to narrow the score
to only eight points. Cheshunt were spurred on again by this score and a well
worked move saw Albert Cannon cross the line to score his first try and seal
the win 27-14

Although this was not their best performance of the season, this result showed the squad
has the depth and resilience as well as the attacking power and flair they will
require to compete successfully next year. Large compliments must also be paid
to the team of coaches who have instilled a wonderful team spirit in the boys
and have raised their level of performance beyond all reasonable expectations
this year. The squad now looks forward to try completing a League and Cup “double”
later this month after their tour to the Bournemouth Junior Rugby Festival over
the weekend 13^th to 16^th April.

 Mick Blee

Cheshunt Under 15′s continued their marvellous season with a 41-5 Hammering of local rivals Hertford B in the Semi-Final of the Under 15′s League’s Cup Competition. Played under floodlights yesterday evening at Hertford and supported by a large contingent of supporters across all age groups, Cheshunt dominated the match from start to finish and now look forward to completing a League and Cup “Double” when they contest the final on 29th April.

More details to follow.

Mick Blee

Match Report

Cheshunt under 15’s continued their great season with a hard fought away win at Tring by 26 -13 yesterday and with this result confirm that with only one league match remaining (away to Ampthill) Cheshunt are still unbeaten and have won the league title and promotion to Division 2 next year.

In a fast paced first half Tring took an early three point lead from a penalty in front of the posts, which was quickly overtaken as Karl Garside powered through the Tring defence to score a great solo try in the corner. Tring then kicked another penalty to regain the lead, but for only a minute, as a great drive by the Cheshunt forwards enabled Mikey Heckman to storm superbly through the middle of the pitch to score. This try was brilliantly converted by Tom McBride from a fairly acute angle to leave the score 12-6 to Cheshunt with half time looming. The Cheshunt pack were now beginning to make real headway against a resolute Tring defence and a sweeping move looked to be adding to the score, when a misplaced pass allowed a breakaway from the Tring centre to score under the posts. This try was duly converted to leave the score at 13 -12 to the home side at half time.

This late score seemed to inspire the Cheshunt team and they came out for the second half with even more determination than before. The Tring forwards were fighting for every ball only to be continually pushed back into their own half as they tried to kick their way into Cheshunt territory. However, this tactic was unsuccessful and Cheshunt continued to dominate possession and after a move of seven or eight phases Cheshunt appeared to score a great try which was unfortunately then disallowed by the referee.

After coming so close to scoring the Cheshunt team now seemed to sense victory and Cheshunt’s hooker Harry Hickey crashed over the line to score a well deserved try. And with the simple conversion by Tom McBride this gave them a deserved six point lead and the upper hand in the match. Now, with the Tring team visibly tiring and with only two minutes remaining, a sweeping move by virtually the whole team culminated in centre Michael Steele crossing over the line to score a memorable try. This made the game safe at 26 – 13 following the easy conversion by the team Captain Tom McBride.

This last score allowed the coach Mark Standing to give all his reserves a chance to play the last minute or so and enjoy the scenes of jubilation on the pitch as the final whistle blew. This was a superb result against a strong Tring side and demonstrates the level of commitment and skill by a squad of very good young players who will undoubtedly compete well at a higher level next year.

 Mick Blee