Letchworth 20-54 Sudbury: A late change of venue sets tone for an afternoon of mishap and confusion

A day of mishap and confusion for Letchworth on Saturday, which ended with another visit to Shelfords Davey Field, and a similar result from two weeks ago, but this time it was not all of Legends making.

The heavy rain all week meant that Legends Lane pitches were unplayable and Sudbury were duly informed at 10 o'clock in the morning.

That seemed to be that as both club presidents were inclined to play later in the season so a lot of players had made other plans for the afternoon.

However, the visitors' director of rugby had different ideas, and after a lot of too'ing and frow'ing an all weather pitch was found at Shelford and the game hastily rearranged to the detriment of the home side.

Not only in terms of playing availability as leading forward Llewellyn Jones and several others had already departed for the afternoon - but also in lost revenue for the home side which is vital to surviving for the community game a factor that the RFU ruling chooses to ignore.

Still that was that and there could be no doubt that Sudbury held the whip hand as their team had not disbanded like Legends and the game bore this out 

On the day the Suffolk side were the better in most departments but not as much as the score suggested . Legends on the other hand were the veritable curates egg …..good in parts and narrowly missed getting a bonus point try in the dying minutes . 

Letchworth got off to the worst possible start when Sudbury were awarded a penalty try in the opening minutes a somewhat fortuitous decision and also a yellow card for Tommy Wilcock . Josh Sharp who did not enjoy his best afternoon pulled back a penalty before Sudbury increased their lead with two quick penalties.

Legends hit back with a great try inspired by a Charlie Parkhouse break. The Letchworths full back left several defenders in his wake and then passed to Titherington who fed Streets to go over in the corner . Sharp then nailed a superb conversion . 

Unfortunately this was the high point of the half as further pressure led to Sudbury's bonus point try on the stroke of half time 10/26 at the break . 

The third quarter was all Sudbury who romped to 40 points before Luke Mongston barrelled his way up the pitch . The ball was won from the resulting maul and Streets crashed over for his second . 

Next a wayward pass from Sudbury saw Andy Young pick up and speed to the line . Both remained unconverted and that concluded Legends fight back.

The last bit of fight ended with substitute Hugo Lennie departing to the naughty step for a tussle on the Shelford carpet.

Two late tries from Sudbury concluded this somewhat unsatisfactory affair - but then there is always next season and good luck to Sudbury who extended their unbeaten run to thirteen games, reminiscent of Legends thirty eight game tally last year so a few more to go yet lads.

Two week break now till the Rochford game which should go ahead with a full lunch on the 16 th at Legends Lane . 

Team from 1 

 Robinson

 Fitts 

Buchanan

Wilcock

Gibbs A 

Peasnall 

Mongston

Lewis

Howman

Sharp

Gibb. C

Titherington

Streets

Allen

Parkhouse

Young 

Valdy 

Basra

Lennie 

BB