Cheshunt 1st XV v Haringey

Another eminently winnable game, slipped through the fingers of a Cheshunt side, who improved as the game progressed, but were unable to get the final score.

An early penalty from the kick off, was made kickable by Cheshunt not retreating 10 yards, to give Haringey an early 3-0 lead. Cheshunt soon responded, Reece Shoobridge’s long kick down the touchline gave them an attacking lineout 5 yards out, the forwards were not able to drive over the line, but when the home side killed the ball at the ruck, Shoobridge levelled the scores after 7 minutes.

Haringey soon were back in the Cheshunt 22, off the top of a lineout, first phase ball, straight along the line, was quick enough to give the speedy left winger room to get over in the corner. Cheshunt created a couple of good opportunities, but continuously gave the ball away, trying extravagant off loads in cold conditions against a team that were always up on the offside line, mistakes that turned the ball over and gave the home side a chance to clear and when Haringey next got in the Cheshunt half, another penalty increased the lead to 11-3 after 25 minutes. The home side were nearly on the board again, a kick and chase was just cleared up by the Cheshunt defence, but Haringey were now producing the better chances and following a series of lineouts and scrums near the Cheshunt line, they finally got over the line again for a 16-3 half time lead.

Cheshunt started much better in the second half, but neither side were able to retain possession for long periods, instead of going through the phases, impatience led to ambitious passes or kicks which gave the ball away. When Cheshunt had a kick charged down on the 22, the homer side picked up the loose ball and drove for the line, although the visitors were confident the ball had not been touched down the referee awarded the try which gave Haringey a comfortable 21-3 advantage.

The Green and Whites finally started to put some decent rugby together, Scott Cummines broke through and was stopped just 5 yards short, C’s re-cycled the ball, but aggressive defence pushed Cheshunt back and they spilt the ball on the 22 to hand possession back. Cummines continued to look dangerous and was often getting past his man, another attack took Cheshunt close to the line, this time they managed to hold on to the ball until Geoff Hayden was able to touch down, Brad Ewing’s conversion reduced the deficit to 11 points. The visitors had finally figured out the best route up field, tighter control and albeit slow progress, but simple pick and drives ensured the referee was able to spot the offsides and a penalty 10 yards from the line was quickly tapped by Ewing and he went over in the corner to set up a tense last 5 minutes.

Most of the remainder of the game was spent in the Haringey 22, a yellow card was handed out for a high tackle, but penalty after penalty was not further punished and Cheshunt were unable to force their way back over the line.

A re-arranged game, away at league leaders Priorians next week, finishes off the year.

Short, Girdlestone, Martines, Hounslow, Angell, Clark, Dickenson, Bailey, Ewing, Claridge, Shoobridge, Chantler, Cummines, Porter, Hayden. Replacements:- Phillips, Donnelly, Pearce.