Herts/Middlesex 1 02/04/2016

A stuttering, error filled performance, was still good enough to notch another bonus point win and keep Cheshunt secure in the second promotion spot. The league title looks to have been sewn up by Kilburn Cosmos, they were victorious on the road at Verulamians, to be certain of second spot, Cheshunt need just 6 points from their remaining 3 games. This game should have been over by half time, the amount of possession the Cheshunt forwards supplied was used to create several try scoring opportunities which unfortunately were not taken, considering the conditions were near perfect, the needless handling errors from the home team, with the line at their mercy, were inexcusable.. However, they still managed to do what they needed and score the fourth bonus point try to remain 10 points clear of London Welsh. Nearly all the first period was played in the Hillingdon half, ball off the top from an early lineout gave stand in fly half Reece Shoobridge lots of room, his centres ran dummy lines and fullback Bobby Bolton stormed into the 22, Dale Gardener kept the move going and Aydan Duligall was on hand to get close to the line, the move broke down just short and Hillingdon had a rare foray into the Cheshunt half. They then had a chance to put the first points on the board when awarded a penalty 30 yards out, but the effort sailed wide. C’s were soon back in the Hillingdon 22 when Louis Mulholland sent a fine kick down field which rolled into touch, although Hillingdon cleared from the lineout, they only found Bolton who took play back to within 5 metres, the visitors slowed the ball down at the breakdown and Cheshunt elected to take a scrum from the resulting penalty. Completely dominant in the set piece (Hillingdon had already replaced one of their front row), the Cheshunt pack drove over the line and number 8 Joel Bailey dotted down for the first score after 15 minutes. They were quick to extend their lead, another Mulholland grubber kick had worked its way into the 22 and from the lineout a well-rehearsed move saw winger David Lever take the ball from Tom Claridge in the centre, his perfect line saw him cut through the defence and in under the posts, Shoobridge added the extra 2 points and C’s were 12- 0 up after 20 minutes. This should have opened the floodgates and they had two very clear chances before the break to extend their advantage, but both times, with the line at their mercy, the ball was knocked on and they had to settle for the 12 point lead at the half time whistle. The Hillingdon scrum had been demolished and unable to continue with competitive scrums Hillingdon were forced to go uncontested, the laws very clearly state, that should this be the case, they should be reduced to 14 men, however for twenty minutes of the second half they continued with a full complement, an obvious advantage now they were assured of their own ball at the put in. Cheshunt though were soon able to extend their lead, from a scrum on halfway, scrumhalf Mulholland used a couple of backs to dummy the opposition, once past the defensive line he outsprinted the cover and raced to the line, more extras from Shoobridge took the score to 19-0. Hillingdon though were making the most of their extra man and the possession they were now able to use, the influential fullback cut through and scored under the posts, 19-7. Cheshunt then felt further aggrieved, after fullback Bolton had made what seemed a wonderful try saving tackle, the Hillingdon players rushed in and punches were thrown, in the aftermath, the referee issued red cards to Lever and his opposite number and a yellow card to Bolton for a dangerous tackle, Cheshunt reduced to 13 men for ten minutes. The visitors took advantage, an innocuous looking chip through against the run of play, bounced up into the arms of the advancing attackers and another converted try reduced the arrears to just 5 points, 19-14. Finally the referee was made aware of the uncontested scrum ruling, Hillingdon were reduced to 13, and Bolton re-joined the fray to give C’s the numerical advantage. Determined to finally get the bonus point try, Cheshunt pressed the Hillingdon try line, a penalty close to the line was quickly taken by Shoobridge and he spotted Ben Hounslow unmarked wide out, he dived over in the corner to wrap the game up at 24 – 14. Cheshunt continued to push for more scores to give the score line a more balanced look, Marvin Brown came closest when he brushed aside several would be tacklers but was hauled down just short, the game ended with Cheshunt deep in the Hillingdon 22. Another tricky away fixture against Herts rivals Barnet, awaits Cheshunt next Saturday. Then the Herts Trophy semi-final will be played on Wednesday 13th April against Verulamians, under floodlights at Andrews Lane.