Letchworth GC 38 Westcliff 38

At the end of a long and gruelling season a penalty, try in the last minute for Westcliff cost legends third place, but a respectable fourth, was almost more than they could have hoped after their disastrous start in September.

All credit to the visitors, who, although relegated put up a superb performance and made it a thoroughly entertaining afternoon for both sets of spectators.

Legends were far from their best, and it was nip and tuck throughout the game with the home side, leading 38/31 in the dying minutes and the large crowd baying for a win . 

The day though fine carried the edges of storm Kathleen which meant the ball was dropped more often than usual by the home side who had wind advantage playing towards the BALDOCK end in the first half but not really making it pay . 

The first few minutes looked like Letchworth would have a field day . Strong pressure and then a quick tap by Luke Mongston provided the initial score with Sharp adding the two 

However, West Cliff had not read the script and put together several good phases of play before their flanker dived over for a try also converted. Their centre added to this several minutes later for them to take the lead 7 /14 . Letchworth came back with a typical Tom Lewis drive producing the goods . However, several further chances were squandered before halftime, so the teams turned round, even Stevens.. 

it was legends who were first to break the deadlock after the interval with a fine back move finished off by Sam Valpe who seems to improve with every game he plays. Young Ali Gibbs in the second row also had a fine performance in this final game of the season. .

However, this was the only Letchworth return for this quarter of the encounter as Westcliff scored two good tries and then added a penalty to take the score to 19/31 and an unlikely away win was on the cards. 

However, a trademark of the legends Lane side is that they never know when they are beaten and they stormed back into it with a fine try by Parkhouse in the centre converted by Sharp. It was Sharp who got the next one to tie the scores at 31 / all . 

The home side were definitely in the driving seat and again some great play by Valpe and Henderson led to Parkhouse going over for a second try and Sharp, adding the points to take the score to 38,/31. Now the Letchworth bench had run dry and so director of Rugby Baz Basra took the field as a replacement prop for the tender age of 48! Judging by the way the scrum shifted in Letchworths favour, showed that he had lost none of his skills, honed at Bedford and Northampton! 

However, there were still one twist to come as Westcliff came back up the field after an interminable length of injury time had been played. Their winger was bundled unceremoniously into touch by the try line, and the next thing that both sides knew was, the referee had awarded a penalty try …… however what for was anyone's guess though it looked like a no arms tackle and it certainly gave Westcliff the life line they needed and a deserved draw.,

So Harpenden who won at Shelford with a bonus point took third with Letchworth fourth . Ironically though the Letchworth seconds beat Harpenden on the top pitch to win their league so definitely a cause for celebration there . The development side came back from a 19 /5 deficit against Harps to triumph 36:26 by the final whistle . Tries came from Tyler Uys , Conor Turner , Sandy Sisley , James Buchanan , Kieron Davies and Andy Young with the boot of Herts Under 20 fly half Matt Olley adding the rest of the points . Conor Turner received man of the match with praise to Steve Harper and Mike Gray for their work over the past months . A full report will appear in Have you Heard later this week . This team have a double header against Ampthill next weekend ( league and cup ) and all support is welcomed kick off at three.

There was also a good cause to celebrate the Legends first year in the National Leagues . As President Brian Burke quipped " Second would have been superb , third tremendous but fourth is fine by me ! " 

As mentioned the seconds and thirds still have several games to play in April but the firsts can relax after an excellent league season . 

Team from 1 

Robinson 

Hughes T 

Stokes 

Jones

 Gibbs A 

Wilcock 

Mongston 

Lewis 

Howman 

Sharp 

Staddon 

Henderson 

Parkhouse 

Gurure 

Gibbs S 

Peasnall

Valpy 

Basra 

BB