HEMEL HEMPSTEAD 0 LETCHWORTH GC 24

Legends picked up a vital bonus point win on the road at Hemel with a fourth try in the 80th minute after a pulsating game in which both sides played a part.

Unlike last weeks try scoring jamboree this week saw each score being hard earned against a bulky Hemel outfit.

More important was the away sides defence that held firm throughout much to the delight of defence coach Tom JUBB.

The narrow pitch and cloying mud also did not help Legends expansive game but it says much for the team's determination that they battled through to victory with Kyle Rambo Hughes outstanding up front and Arun Johal having another great game in the backs.

It was clear from the start that this would be a battle royale with Hemel having slope advantage keen not to give an inch to their north Herts rivals.

Letchworth weathered early pressure before sweeping up the field with a great backs move and Gurure went over only to be brought back for a forward pass .

From a resulting scrum Joe Allison went over but spilt the ball but from the next set piece Harvey Howman nipped in to pinch the ball and go over and Hem Johal added the points. It was four years ago that Howman scored a similar try at Camelot that saved Letchworths bacon from relegation that season.

However this was to be the only score in the first period. Hemel kept Letchworth on their toes with some good pressure but the away sides defence held firm

As the temperature dropped and the sky darkened in the second half Letchworth now had slope advantage and started to use it to the full with some great driving nails penetrating to the heart of the Hemel defence

After fifty minutes a great drive led by skipper Liam Fitts set up a great position and the backs used it well as Arun Johal crossed the line for a fine score with brother Hem adding the points.

Hemel replied with a long period of pressure including one great move up the right flank but time and time again they were driven back.

Then another great move ended with Gurure brought down on the 22. The ball was moved swiftly by Campbell and Titherington enabling full back Gibbs to slip through.

Just as he was being tackled he shot the ball between his legs towards the touch line and Martin Day speeding up the blindside like a careering loco took it in the breadbasket and the burly second row went over for Letchworths third .

Although Johal narrowly missed the kick Letchworth were now in the driving seat after sixty minutes. Hemel were not going to go quietly into the murky January night.

A quickly taken penalty by their nippy scrum half McDougall caused problems but once again the Legends defence held firm.

With time running out it seemed that the home side would prevent a bonus point win but the backs had other ideas. Gibbs now took a quick penalty and moved the ball through Johal and Gurure.

When this failed to penetrate the defence the ball moved the other way and Titherington and Campbell fed replacement wingerJosh Dell whose fresh legs outstripped the defence and went over for the all important bonus point

Letchworth now face lowly Hackney who put up a good fight against league leaders HAC on Saturday. Kick off is at 2pm Legends Lane next week preceded by a hot buffet at 130pm.

It is to be hoped that another good performance will put the pressure on second placed Priorians.

Team from 1

Hughes

Wilcock

Peasnell

Allison

Johal H

Campbell

Johal A

Amos