Letchworth GC 17 Southend 16 - report by Rick Sell and Brian Burke

 Letchworth have played Southend three times in their history and each one has been an epic battle . The Seasiders may consider themselves unlucky that they have been on the wrong side of a sheet of bronco on each occasion losing 20/19 , 38/36 and now 17/16 . 

 Skipper Liam Fitts enthused after the game " It just feels that I am playing in a side that will not admit to defeat . Even when we were 13/0 down we had that belief that we could do it and the game management in the last five minutes as well as our final devastating scrum only emphasised that " ….. Director of Rugby Baz Basra was more phlegmatic "After a terrible first quarter we got our act together and ground out the win but even so we left points go begging before the end . Still it has been a great two weeks for the team with these vital wins against Manor and now Southend . 

 After a sustained round of applause for the life of David Duckham in a packed lunch the teams took the field but for the first twenty minutes Legends were just not at the races and Southend seized the initiative.

With just a couple of minutes on the clock Southend went over after a lineout drive in the left corner to make it 0 - 5. The conversion attempt fell short.

Southend continued to dominate the opening exchanges. A kick over Letchworth's defence was gathered by Southend and only a great chase and tackle by full back Michael Waters near the 5m line prevented a further score, with Southend penalised for holding on.

It was not long before Southend were back in the danger zone, and when Letchworth were penalised within kicking range the Southend fly half made no mistake to increase the lead to 0 - 8.

After the re-start Letchworth strung together their best attack so far, but just as it seemed centre Sonny Maasi was through after breaking the line the ref blew his whistle for a forward pass.

Southend were soon back on the attack, and another great tackle by Michael Waters in his own 22 prevented another good scoring opportunity. But Letchworth didn't hold out for much longer and were penalised on their own 22 for being offside at the ruck. Southend kicked to the right corner and another lineout drive saw them cross the whitewash for their second try which went unconverted. So with less than 20 minutes on the clock Southend already had a healthy 0 – 13 lead.

At this point the heavens opened and strong winds descended on Legends Lane. Whether coincidence or not, from this point on Letchworth started to get a grip on the game. Maasi broke the line for a second time but again play was brought back for a forward pass. Then powerful winger Tattenda Gurere thundered in to the 22 only to be brought down by a high tackle. The penalty was kicked to the left corner and the lineout won cleanly to set up a driving maul which Southend were penalised for pulling down, with the number 8 receiving a yellow for his troubles. Letchworth took a scrum – at which they excelled all afternoon – but as the ball was being spread right Letchworth were penalised for crossing.

Number 8 Tom Lewis who was nominated as Letchworths man of the match had a colossal game and was soon on the charge, smashing his way through numerous defenders to the 22 and putting Southend on the back foot. Some great handling by Letchworth in the wet and windy conditions put flying winger Chris Gibbs in at the right corner to get Letchworth on the scoresheet with their first try. A magnificent conversion by fly half Josh Sharp from the touchline made it 7 – 13 with 5 minutes of the first half to go.

Letchworth had the last attack of the half and a penalty allowed them to kick to the right touchline just outside the Southend 22. But Southend stole the ball in the last significant play of the half.

Letchworth started the second half as they finished the first, on the attack. They secured a lineout deep in Southend's half and spread the ball right, but the attack was brought to an end illegally by a high tackle on scrum half Harvey Howman. Howman had to leave the field of play with a head injury …. a nasty egg like lump on the side of his brow ! …as did Southend's number 8 as he received his second yellow of the match, and therefore a red, for the offence. Ben Palmer came off the bench to replace Howman at scrum half, and went on to have a fine game.

However Letchworth were unable to take advantage of their numerical advantage, and minutes later it was a 14-a-side game. Prop Richard Stokes took the ball in hard on Southend's 22 but knocked on. A minor scuffle broke out, Stokes' shirt was pulled by the scruff and he swung out an arm which barely made contact . The ref who had not actually seen it but seemed to listen to the Southend physio and players left it a a couple of minutes for tempers to calm before showing Stokes the red card for connecting with an opponent's head. The Southend "victim " should certainly consider a career on the stage ! 

This seemed to galvanise Southend and they made their first visit of the half in to Letchworth's 22. Letchworth were penalised and an easy kick for out half Ben Lloyd extended Southend's lead to 7 – 16.

Despite the conditions Letchworth showed great faith in their handling game, whether in their own or opponents half. However when attempting to carry the ball out of their own half, Letchworth were penalised just short of the half way line to hand Southend the initiative. A lovely attacking move by Southend followed, but just when they looked to have breached the defence a forward pass prevented the scoring opportunity.

Letchworth were next to attack and a high tackle on Gibbs gave them the opportunity to kick to the right touchline near Southend's 22. Although Letchworth lost the lineout they soon regained possession but play was stopped by the ref as a nasty leg injury had left one of the Southend second rower's in agony on the floor. It turned out that poor Jake O' Kill has broken it and in true rugby tradition sent Letchworth a note of thanks especially for the help of physio Colin Mardel . Play was eventually re-started with a scrum to Letchworth on Southend's 22, the ball was moved left to Sharp who side stepped the defence and dived over by the left upright for a fine score and give himself an easy conversion to bring the score to 14 – 16.

Letchworth continued to show great faith in their handling game, and another high tackle – this time on outside centre Will Titherington – saw the ref brandish another yellow to Southend.

Minutes later Southend were penalised again, and Sharp kicked to the left touchline on the 22. Letchworth secured the ball and went through phase after phase but the Southend defence remained strong until they were again penalised, and this time it was central. Captain Liam Fitts pointed to the posts and Sharp did the rest for Letchworth to take the lead for the first time at 17 – 16.

Letchworth were the next to be penalised at the breakdown and Southend took the opportunity to kick to the right touchline by Letchworth's 22. From the lineout they showed great hands to get the ball out to the left winger who – with only open space in front of him – knocked on when a try seemed certain. Southend were penalised in the resulting scrum and Letchworth were able to clear their lines, a fine kick by Sharp making touch near the half way line. The lineout that followed was significant as it resulted in yet another Southend player being shown a yellow.

Because of the earlier leg injury the match had 8 minutes of added time during which Southend had a significant amount of possession, but Letchworth's defence held strong. In the last play of the game Southend were awarded a scrum inside their own half but again Letchworth's pack piled on the pressure and Southend were penalised, much to the delight of the large home crowd who had provided vociferous support throughout. All that was left was for Letchworth to find touch and the ref to blow the final whistle. Letchworth had completed a stunning double over Southend to regain top spot in the league, and Legends Lane was rocking!

A great weekend for the club was completed on Sunday with a fine attacking display by the Lionesses to run out 31 -12 winners over Ampthill, scoring 5 tries to 2. The player of the match went to centre Dannielle Levett, and players player to Zoe Robinson, wife of men's first fifteen prop and club captain Oscar.

Next week it is back on the road to travel to an improving Norwich side … but destiny is very much now in Legends hands . There is a coach which leaves the club at 930 on Saturday . 

Team Robinson Hughes Stokes Wilcock Peasnell Mongston Fitts Lewis Howman Sharp Gurure Maasi Titherington Gibbs Waters SubscAmos Palmer Hay