Letchworth Rugby Club 33 – 10 Tottonians. Report by Richard Sell

The Legends bandwagon rolled on on Saturday with a good win over Southampton side Tottonians in the first ever clash between the two sides. 

This was very much a game of two halves with Letchworth producing some pure rugby poetry in the first half only to face some stern opposition and constant infringement in the second which stopped the flow of points.

Letchworth put on a fine first half attacking display to give them a bonus point win in their first group game of the Papa John Cup.

Fittingly their first try started with a scrum at which they were dominant all afternoon. The ball was quickly spread left to centre Will Titherington who made a decisive break in to the Tottonians 22 before the ball was fed to fullback Jai Johal to glide over midway between the left touchline and the posts. Josh Sharp couldn't add the extras.

Their next try was started and finished by Sonny Ma'asi. He danced his way past numerous defenders to get in to Tottonians half before moving the ball on to fellow backrower Tom Lewis. He made valuable yards before some superb Letchworth handling put Sonny in under the posts for a fine score and an easy conversion for Sharp to make it 12 – 0.

It was Sharp who initiated the third try, picking up a loose ball in his own half to sprint in to Tottonians territory before a burst and offload by flanker Luke Mongston set up Lewis to score under the posts. Sharp made no mistake to extend the lead to 19 – 0.

Letchworth were purring in attack but they didn't have it all their own way. Tottonians put together phase after phase within 5 metres of the Letchworth try line but outstanding defence kept them out, second rower Dan Peasnell leading the way with some big hits.

Tottonians were again looking to attack when Sharp intercepted on the half way line and set off for the try line with winger Chris Gibbs in support, but he didn't need him and it was Sharp who touched down for the bonus point try.  His conversion made it 26 – 0.

Letchworth's fifth try was Jai Johal's second, a beautiful run – including a dummy pass – saw him touch down under the posts to give Sharp another easy conversion and an unassailable lead of 33 – 0.

In fairness to Tottonians they refused to let their heads drop and a good phase of possession was rewarded when their winger went over in the left corner. The difficult conversion couldn't be made, so it was 33 – 5. Moments before the half time whistle was blown Legends' scrum half and captain Harvey Howman was given 10 minutes on the naughty step for not rolling away in the tackle.

The first half was a joy to watch, with some outstanding attacking rugby on display. Unfortunately the second half was very different, the whistle being blown so often that neither side could get in to their stride and establish any sort of momentum. Midway through the half the frustration evident in both sides boiled over and Jai Johal and one of the Tottonians back rowers were given their marching orders, although it was good to see them shake hands as they approached the dugouts.

There was to be only one further score, Tottonians going over in the left corner for an unconverted try to make the final score 33 – 10.

Now Letchworth face a strong Horsham side on April 15 down in west Sussex. Horsham overcame Hammersmith & Fulham away on Saturday and will be a hard nut to crack. Travel details will be released later.

Team from 1:

Tate

Hughes

Robinson

Peasnell

Wilcock

Ma'asi

Mongston 

Lewis

Howman (c)

Sharp

Staddon

Streets

Titherington

Gibbs

Johal, Jai

Reps:

Askham

Johal, Aman

Rae