London 3 North/West 14/01/2017

Cheshunt’s recent unbeaten run came to an end, when a powerful display from promotion hopefuls

Hemel Hempstead, finally wore down the hosts and the visitors produced 20 points in the last

quarter, to give the score line a lopsided look.

Cheshunt competed for much of the match, but lost influential back row Alex Brown to a red card

early in the second half and eventually, the previously excellent defence, succumbed to the strong

running and superb handling skills of their visitors.

Neither side were able break into their oppositions 22 in the opening quarter, Brown received a

yellow card for an accidental high tackle and with the last move before his re-admission, Hemel

broke the deadlock. A scrum just outside the C’s 22 was put through the phases and finally they

found some space down the left wing for Gareth Jahn to cross the line.

Cheshunt enjoyed some possession in the Hemel half, without seriously threatening the line, but

when they were turned over on the 22, Hemel were quick to counter, good support play quickly got

them up field, but a careless pass in to touch finished the move.

Cheshunt again worked their way up field, this time when they spilt the ball inside the Hemel half,

centre Ryan Doyle was quick to gather the loose ball and run to the line unhindered, for a 0-10

advantage after 35 minutes.

Cheshunt lost skipper Tom Claridge to injury and the visitors looked dangerous for the remainder of

the half, but the Cheshunt defence remained firm and they swapped ends without further addition

to the scoreboard.

The Green and Whites started the second half well and it wasn’t long before a superbly struck

penalty from Louis Mulholland had reduced the deficit to 3-10.

The red card was issued, but Hemel were also reduced to 14 men for a while when they had a player

binned for a high tackle.

The game was largely in stalemate, both defences holding firm and opportunities were few and far

between, with 15 minutes left on the clock, Cheshunt sensed a chance to level the scores, kicking a

penalty up the touchline they had a lineout just 5 metres from the Hemel try line. But, the lineout

was turned over and the visitors were quick to turn defence into attack, they swarmed up field,

keeping possession through many phases and finally worked some space on the right for Nino Massa

to score.

6 minutes later Hemel had their bonus point and were out of sight, Daniel O’Brien jinked through the

Cheshunt defence and was in under the posts, the conversion stretched the lead to 3-22. A long

range penalty soon followed and as Cheshunt desperately tried to chase the game, a loose pass was

intercepted on the Hemel 10 metre line and Aled Gamble ran in for another long range try, to

complete the scoring.

C’s will enjoy a rest week next Saturday, before they visit Finchley on the 28 th January, hoping to

return to the top half of the table.