Herts/Middlesex 1. 01/11/14

Another Jekyll and Hyde performance from Cheshunt saw them slip to another defeat on the road and drop down to 6th place in the league. It was another match in which they controlled many aspects, but once again were unable to convert possession and territory into points.

Kicking against the breeze in the first period, C’s were soon back in their own half when they started to give away penalties at the breakdown, one of which was converted to give the home team an early 3-0 lead. Cheshunt seemed unable to remain on their feet at any ruck and Barnet had another pot at goal after 22 minutes. The attempt was pushed wide, but C’s were not able to get out of their 22 and quick ruck ball from the home side was fed along the line, the second row provided an important link to set the right winger free and over in the corner, a successful conversion gave the home team a 10-0 advantage after 26 minutes.

Although Cheshunt won a commanding lineout just inside the Barnet half, it was neither quick off the top ball, or a controlled set and one of the Barnet back row, with a hint of offside, sneaked through to intercept Lewis Daymons pass, with the Cheshunt backs lined up ready to attack, he was able to easily get in under the posts, the extras took Barnet to 17-0 after half an hour.

Finally Cheshunt were able to start using their forward dominance to camp in the Barnet 22, after a long period of pressure on the line, following a couple of penalties, scrums and lineouts, the visitors finally forced their way on to the score board. A scrum 5 yards out, gave Joel Bailey the platform to muscle his way over and with the stiff breeze to come in the second half this should have been the start of a glorious comeback. Typically, Cheshunt couldn’t concentrate for the last minute of the half and again were penalised at the breakdown, just short of the ten yard line the Barnet fly half slotted another 3 points to turn around 20-5.

The second half started with much promise, after Tom McGowan had kicked down the line from a penalty, the Cheshunt forwards supplied clean lineout ball, an inside pass to Dave Lever, who then found Tom Claridge, took play to within 5 yards and it was now Barnet who were giving away the penalties at the breakdown. Cheshunt took the scrum, but inexcusably gave away a penalty, in an area where they were completely dominant, and the home side got away from the danger zone.
This became the theme of the second half, Cheshunt working into promising positions, but always falling short of the line, a strong Declan Walker run went unrewarded, when the ball was spilt down the left wing, and so it continued. Barnet also created the odd chance when Cheshunt had lapses of concentration in defence, poor tackling in midfield saw them get close, but C’s were quick to counter and Omid Amani was next to put in a strong run close to the Barnet line. Another transgression at the set piece frustrated Cheshunt, but they remained in the Barnet 22 for long periods, even when reduced to 14 men, after Josh Willcocks was sin binned for pulling down in the lineout, without adding to their total. The rest of the game petered out, neither side able to put together a sequence of phases that was to prove significant.

A league week off gives Cheshunt the chance to re-group, with a visit to Old Millhillians in the cup, hoping they can repeat the performance of their recent league encounter. The following Saturday is a tricky away game at the Bank of England.

Short, Phillips, Martines, Hounslow, Pearce, Angell, Duligall, Bailey, Daymon, McGowan, Lever, Claridge, Amani, Latour, Saunders. Replacements – Bagley, Walker, Willcocks