Cheshunt welcomed Barnet in their second league game of the season.
On a perfect day for rugby Cheshunt conceded an early penalty which Barnet converted to take a 0 – 3 lead. From the kick off Barnet won back the ball and drove back into the Cheshunt 22. Resolute defence soon turned into attack as Barnet spilled the ball. Dean Gardener picked up the loose ball and ran 20m before linking with the rest of the back row. Cheshunt interchanged passes between the backs and forwards moving quickly into the Barnet half. The move was stopped at the Barnet 22m line. Cheshunt quickly recycled the ball and passed along the line for Omid Amani to run in the try. This was converted by Tim McSherry for a 7 – 3 lead.
Cheshunt seemed to gain confidence from the try and started to dominate the game. The forwards drove the Barnet pack to the line where they were held up. From the resulting scrum Joel Bailey broke off before passing to Darren Minos to score. Tim
McSherry again kicked the conversion to make it 14-3.
Barnet finally won some ball and ran at the Cheshunt backs. A strong tackle from Ross Boulton dislodged the ball. Dave Lever picked up the loose ball and raced away from the defence to score. McSherry missed the conversion to make it 19 – 3. Some indiscipline and back chat resulted in Barnet kicking for touch. From the resulting line out Barnet moved the ball to drive over the line to make it 19 – 8 at half time.
Cheshunt continued to dominate the second half. The forwards broke down the blindside with good support and handling, the move ended with Omid Amani running in his second try of the game. McSherry missed the conversion to make it 24 – 8.
With both sides warned by the referee it was the Barnet hooker who infringed to get the first sin bin of the game. With a man extra Cheshunt continued to pressure the Barnet line. The Barnet fly half missed touch and kicked to Dave Lever on the 10 metre line. He returned the kick with interest to score a fine individual try which was converted by McSherry to make it 31 – 8.
Cheshunt made 2 substitutions, bringing on Thorne and Chalk. In their first involvement Chalk was alleged to have infringed and was sin binned for 10 minutes.
Cheshunt absorbed the pressure until they were back to a fifteen men. Cheshunt once again drove the Barnet forwards towards there line. The ball moved along the line to Dave Lever, who still had a lot to do. He powered his way over the line for his hat trick. McSherry converted for Cheshunt to run out winners 38 – 8.
Cheshunt also picked up their first bonus point of the season by scoring more than 4 tries. It was a good team performance after the disappointment of last week.
