Letchworth GC 51 - Norwich 12 - report by Rick Sell

Despite a fairly re-arranged team this week, this was another confident display by Legends in which a much improved defensive display kept the Norfolk side at bay for much of the game. Whilst the most destructive weapon of the home side was the driving maul it was great to see three youngsters come to the fore … Matt Olley, Kyle Toomey and Josh Staddon who received the man of the match award from delighted director of rugby Baz Basra. Despite the lopsided score line this was a much more even game possession wise and the commitment of both sides was evident with players sustaining injuries and the Legends wounded included Jack Askham, Dave Rae, Kieron Davies and Will Titherington who all took knocks of one kind or another but at least Basra was spared another cameo! 

It took only 3 minutes for Letchworth to get on the scoreboard. Their rush defence put Norwich under pressure deep in their own half and an attempted clearance by the fly half, who was just outside his 22, went straight to touch. Letchworth won the resulting lineout cleanly and quickly spread the ball right for Kyle Toomey to go over in the corner. A superb conversion by Will Titherington, ably deputising for the injured Josh Sharp at fly half, made it 7 – 0.

Just a couple of minutes later and Letchworth's defensive pressure on Norwich in their own half again paid dividends when Norwich were penalised for holding on. The ball was kicked to the right corner to set up a rolling maul, which is fast becoming one of Letchworth's most potent weapons.  Norwich did manage to stop it twice but both times illegaly, and each time Letchworth kicked to the corner and had another go. It was third time lucky as this time there was no stopping the maul crossing the whitewash, with tight head 'Rambo' Hughes coming up with the ball. The conversion was missed so it was now 12-0. 

Norwich now had a good period of possession, with winger Oliver Snary and full back Emosi Vunivosa looking dangerous and their pack putting in a mighty shift at scrum time. But Letchworth's defence was excellent and Norwich could rarely make it in to the red zone.  When Letchworth won the ball full back Kieron Davies made an outstanding 50/22 kick to the left corner and a Letchworth throw in. It was no surprise to the watching crowd that they again went for the rolling maul and this time it was the other prop, Oscar Robinson, who dotted the ball down. Titherington slipped just before his attempted conversion and it fell short, making it 17-0 to Letchworth. 

Continued pressure from the Letchworth defence was again making it difficult for Norwich to make ground, and a number of handling errors certainly didn't help their cause. But eventually they were rewarded with a penalty on the halfway line when Letchworth were penalised at a ruck, and the kick was made to just outside the Letchworth 22. This resulted in a rare foray in to the Letchworth 22 and Letchworth were again penalised, providing an easy opportunity to kick to the corner. This time it was Norwich's turn to score from a rolling maul but the extras couldn't be added, so after 30 minutes it was 17-5. 

Big number 8 Tom Lewis had a fine game, and he had a big influence in the lead up to Letchworth's fourth try. First a big hit by Lewis led to a Letchworth turnover in their own half, and seconds later it was his powerful run that resulted in a Letchworth penalty just outside the Norwich 22. Davies kicked to the corner and everyone knew what was coming next … again Letchworth scored from the rolling maul, with both 'Rambo' Hughes and second rower Dan Peasnell having their hands on the ball … but Peasnell won the argument as they walked back to the halfway line! The extras couldn't be added so the scores were now 22-5. 

Norwich again had some sustained possession but found it difficult to break down the Letchworth defence, exemplified firstly by a great clearing kick to the half way line by scrum half Harvey Howman, and then by an excellent tackle by young centre Josh Staddon resulting in a knock on. 

In contrast when Letchworth had the ball they always looked threatening, with a dangerous mix of direct running and superb handling. A great move found burly second rower Adam Amos charging down the left wing and his attempted pass to Staddon on the overlap was only stopped by a deliberate knock on, with the miscreant receiving a yellow card for his troubles. From the re-start some further excellent handling from forwards and backs alike, including hooker Tom Tidey, saw powerful wing Tatenda Gurure going over in the left corner. The attempted conversion fell short so the scoreboard read 27-5 at half time. 

The first few minutes of the second half saw some sustained Norwich pressure, and this time they managed to get deep in to the Letchworth 22. But again Letchworth's defence stood strong and Norwich were eventually penalised for holding on. A great run by flanker and captain Liam Fitts lead to a promising attack but a knock on on the Norwich 22 allowed them to clear their lines. 

On 50 minutes Letchworth had a lineout on the halfway line. The ball went through the hands to Staddon in mid field who burst through the Norwich defence, and it was spread out to Tatenda Gurure who's powerful run beat the last defenders to score in the left corner. An excellent conversion by Titherington brought the scores to 34-5. 

Letchworth were soon to score again, started by a great run by Kyle Toomey to carry the ball in to the Norwich half with defenders bouncing off him in all directions. There soon followed another great break by Staddon and the ball found its way to Peasnell who went over midway between the touchline and posts for a fine score. The extras were missed so it was now 39-5. The restart was delayed for a number of minutes as physios from both sides attended to a nasty looking injury to a Norwich player. 

If anyone deserved to be on the scoresheet it was Josh Staddon … and so it proved. He put in a great chase to dive on a loose ball in the Norwich 22 and had the time and wherewithal to get back up on his feet and scamper over for a thoroughly deserved try. An excellent conversion made it 46-5. 

Letchworth really had the bit between their teeth now and were playing some superb rugby, and after more great handling they found themselves deep in the Norwich 22 but they were penalised before they could trouble the scoreboard again. However not long after an excellent run by Oscar Robinson in to the red zone saw the ball spread wide to replacement full back Matt Olley who was bundled in to touch just short. Olley had an impressive debut for someone so young, he and Staddon both progressing from the same Colts side in to the 1s. 

It was now the turn of flanker Jack Askham to make a great break down the right flank and the ball was spread left to fellow flanker Fitts who was bundled in to touch. Askham had to leave the field of play with an injury to his leg sustained in the build up … the Letchworth faithfull will be hoping it's nothing too serious. 

Norwich managed to clear their lines but it wasn't long before Letchworth were on the attack again. Kieron Davies put in a superb grubber kick to find touch deep in the Norwich 22. Letchworth regained possession after putting Norwich under pressure and the ball was spread wide to Tatenda Gurere who went over but was held up. However he didn't have to wait long for his hat trick as he was soon put away again to go over in the left corner to make it 51-5. The conversion was missed. 

To their credit Norwich kept battling on and were rewarded with a fine individual try from dangerman Oliver Snary. The extras were added to bring the scores to 51-12. 

Norwich were then awarded a penalty on the halfway line which they kicked to the left corner. They kept battering away within 5 metres of the try line but again Letchworth put in a mighty defensive effort to keep them at bay, and were eventually rewarded with a penalty almost on the try line just to the right of the posts. That was to be the last attack of the game as moments later Letchworth kicked the ball to touch to bring the game to an end.

And now on to Chelmsford next week before the mouth watering match with fellow front runners HAC at Legends Lane on the 5th November … it should be an explosive encounter for the day that it falls on! There will be lunch beforehand 12.15 for 12.45 … all diners please book in with Brian Burke on 07768274037.

Team from 1

Robinson

Tidey

Hughes

Peasnall

Amos

Askham

Fitts (c)

Lewis

Howman (v-c)

Titherington

Gurure

Mongston

Staddon

Toomey

Davies

Tate

Rae

Olley