Dunstablians v Cheshunt U17's

The conditions (sunny, little wind and firm underfoot) suited a running game and Cheshunt didn’t disappoint. Two trademark tries through centres Scott Glynn and Scott Drew, one a-piece before half-time, followed by tries from scrum-half, Will Payne, back-row, Tom Cooper, and another from Scott Glynn in the second half provided a healthy score-line but the main topic of discussion afterwards wasn’t the tries scored but the number of chances missed; particularly out-wide, with a number of dropped passes and, remarkably on one occasion, actually forgetting where the pitch was !

Our poor old winger, Johnny Scott, the ‘wile e coyote’, he made a lovely run in the first five minutes of the game, beat his man on the outside before getting over the try-line in the corner. “Put it down Johnny, put it down” cried the crowd but those appeals fell on deaf ears. Johnny wanted to get under the posts. Through the in-goal area he went, on and on, and then, with an entirely misplaced confidence, he dived to put the ball down under the posts. “Good score” thinks Johnny, “no score” says the ref. He’s only run onto the next pitch and in under the wrong posts; the ball was dead, no try – what a plonker!

Strong in the scrum and efficient at the line-out Dunstablians proved a worthy opponent and with one or two illusive runners they managed to get a late score of their own. That score was no more than they deserved having been held up over the line only moments before after a series of strong forward drives.

Cheshunt saw the welcome return of the ‘Spaniard’ at Nr 8, a competent performance at scrum-half from Will Payne and some great performances from Tom Timotheou (full-back), Jack Berry (hooker) and Alex Christou (second-row); Alex in particular showing great technique in the contact area – well done Alex.

It was a good game that for large parts was evenly matched – well done to both sides.

Dave Mulholland