A large crowd including North Herts MP Sir Oliver Heald came to see if Legends could maintain their unbeaten run in the league against the final team they had to face before the second half of the season, writes Rick Sell.

Although mid table Stowmarket had given all the leading clubs tough games and today starting in bright sunshine and ending in near darkness was to be no different . Although Letchworth always looked like winning it was no walk-in the park with the Norfolk side combative to the end . 

The opening minutes saw surging runs from number 8 Tom Lewis and second rower Dan Peasnell deep in to Stowmarket territory and the visitors defence were twice penalised when attempting to keep Letchworth at bay.  The home side continued to apply the pressure and a between the legs pass put Peasnell away and he crossed the line but the ref brought play back for a forward pass.  Although the Letchworth pack got the shove, Stowmarket managed to clear their lines from the scrum.

Minutes later strong runs by in-form winger Tatenda Gurere and then Tom Lewis deep in to the Stowmarket half saw Peasnell power in to the 22 but a strong tackle saw him knock the ball on. However Letchworth shoved their opponents back in the scrum and stole the ball which was then moved swiftly right for fly half Will Titherington to dive over in the corner. He couldn't quite convert his own try so Letchworth led 5 – 0 with 10 minutes on the clock.

Minutes later and another strong run from Gurere saw him gobble up the ground to set up powerhouse Tom Lewis to wrestle his way over the whitewash with four defenders still clinging on to him. Titherington's conversion was again just wide so it was now 10 – 0.

Another period of good play by Letchworth saw Stowmarket caught offside, and Titherington kicked deep to the right corner. But the lineout went astray and Stowmarket came away with the ball to relieve the pressure. But they couldn't keep Letchworth out for long and were again penalised for being offside at the breakdown. Another good kick from Titherington in to the corner set up an excellent driving maul from which scrum-half Harvey Howman fed flanker Luke Mongston to crash over, but the ref judged he was held up.

However it wasn't long before Letchworth were on the attack, and when Stowmarket were caught  offiside at the ruck deep inside their red zone the ref had no hesitation in giving a yellow for persistent offending. From the scrum prop James Buchanan was stopped just inches short, and the ball was then spread left for Ma'asi to cross under the posts to give Titherington an easy conversion to make it 17 – 0 approaching the half hour mark. DoR Baz Basra has great confidence in the versatility of his squad and centre Ma'asi – who was hooker in the previous match against Ipswich – maintained lineout throw in duties for this match whilst Oscar Robinson – more usually a prop – hooked at the scrum in this one.

Letchworth were once again looking to attack when a back of the hand pass by Tom Lewis on the half way line was intercepted by the Stowmarket open side flanker, and he outpaced Letchworth's defence to score his side's first points and provide an easy conversion to make it 17 – 7. Not long after James Buchanan had to leave the field with a face injury and was replaced by Richard Stokes, much to the delight of the home crowd who had not seen the highly rated tight head prop take the field for a number of weeks due to injury.

That converted try really raised the spirits of Stowmarket, and it was now their turn to apply a long period of pressure deep inside Letchworth territory. They got to within 5m of the Letchworth try line but good defence saw them penalised for holding on. Letchworth took the opportunity to go on the attack for the first time in a while, and a penalty allowed Titherington to apply further pressure by kicking to the right corner. From the lineout the driving maul looked a real threat but Letchworth were penalised for a truck and trailer.  

With moments to go until half time a long punt up field by Stowmarket bounced awkwardly and out of the grasp of full back Chris Gibbs, and an excellent chase by Stowmarket's fly half was rewarded with a converted try to bring the scores to 17 – 14 at half time and a potentially very nervy second half for Letchworth and their supporters.

The re-start saw the introduction of back rower Jack Askham, out with a leg injury in recent weeks, and centre Danny Hay for his debut. Both were to impress. Askham, hugging the left touchline, nearly scored with his first touch after strong running from Mongston and winger Kyle Toomey, but the pass went just behind him and he couldn't quite hang on to the ball. It wasn't long before Letchworth went over the whitewash. Mongston made a great break and he fed Gurere who's strong run took the ball in to the 22, and it was Mongston who was on the end of the move to crash over for a converted try to give Letchworth their bonus point and a bit of breathing space at 24 – 14.

Great hands from Letchworth looked to have put them in again in the right corner but the final pass went forward. But they didn't have to wait long for their fifth try. An excellent flat pass to Mongston allowed him to break the line and the ball then went through the hands to Ma'asi to go over for his second in the left corner which went unconverted. 29 – 14 to Letchworth.

To their credit Stowmarket refused to lie down and mid-way through the second half they were on the attack. They won a scrum on the Letchworth 5m line and were within a whisker of scoring when an excellent jackal by Jack Askham saw them penalised for holding on.

It was Letchworth who had the better of the final quarter of the game, with two good scoring opportunities snuffled out first by inaccuracy at the lineout deep in the Stowmarket 22 on their own throw, and then by what looked to be a deliberate knock on by their opponents.

Letchworth's scrum had been dominant throughout the game, and it was a penalty at a scrum that led to Letchworth's final score. Man of the match Titherington kicked to the 22 on the right touchline and a superb driving maul allowed Jack Askham to go over for Letchworth's – and the game's - final score. The extras couldn't be added so it finished 34 – 14, a bonus point win to keep Letchworth at the top of the table.

 After the game man of the match Will Titherington was deservedly awarded his colours as was Director of Rugby Baz Basra by skipper Liam Fitts . Next week sees a tough trip to Brentwood who will be out for revenge after their beating at Legends Lane in September. The remainder of December sees two relatively less demanding encounters with Woodford (10th)and Chingford (17th ) but Basras men will be wary of any banana skins in their path ! There are lunches before both games  Book in with Brian Burke on 07768274037

Team: 

Tate

Robinson

Buchanan 

Peasnell 

Wilcock 

Mongston

Fitts. C 

Lewis 

Howman

Titherington

Gurere

Ma'asi

Staddon

Toomey 

Gibbs 

Stokes 

Askham

Hay