Westcliff 26-34 Letchworth

New season, new league, new opposition same doggedness.

Legends had come up from Level 6 while Westcliff had descended from the dizzy heights of Level 4 after a torrid season.

However it was clear in the first twenty minutes the Seasiders were used to a faster pace of play as was shown from their turnovers at the breakdown and dangerous back play.

As head coach Baz Basra mentioned "we could have been ripped to pieces at this time apart from our last ditch defence."

However as the half wore on Letchworth found their mojo and this improved after the break as the home sides challenge fell away. The twenty minutes following half time were a purple patch for Legends. A late revival by Westcliff however lead to a grandstand finish and a really entertaining game for all who watched it.

Basra singled out two from the boiler house area as men of the match, the unsung graft of Dan Peasnell and Tommy Wilcock to go with the deft touches of Sharp, the courage of Mongston in the centre, the ferreting of Howman and the finishing of new winger Sullivan - Warner.  

Legends ran out in an unfamiliar dark blue strip due to a deemed colour clash with the red and gold strip worn by the home side .

The players and crowd observed a minutes silence for the untimely death of an ex Westcliff player in the forces and then it was game on. 

The opening exchanges were fairly evenly spread but Westclif were just that much quicker to the breakdown and had some strong runners outside especially their centre Sukani who caused several problems and threatened the visitors defence early on along with full back Bannister 

Jack Askham made several good early breaks for Letchworth as did Tom Lewis but they were on the back foot at this stage and then persistent penalties saw prop Ben Wilkinson off with a yellow card . 

Letchworth suffered from the resultant scrum penalty as Sukani waltzed over for a fine try converted by Bannister . 

Legends pressed and winger Sullivan -Warner came close . However the home side swept out from defence and from a five metre scrum they scored again despite Letchworth having the shove on the ball but this time the conversion was missed .

From the restart Letchworth took the initiative with Tom Lewis to the fore.They were rewarded with a try as Sharp went blind and new winger Sullivan -Warner went over beating two men . Sharps conversion attempt drifted wide . (12/5) 

A good move saw Legends on the charge again and a penalty took them to the home sides line with Sharp pinpointing it into the corner but again Westcliff stole possession . However now it was Letchworths turn for a series of penalties and drives on the line  Again the home side escaped punishment and then nearly ran the length of the field before knocking on for a let off for Legends .

However Letchworth clawed their way back and a further infringement meant the home sides lock spend ten minutes on the naughty step .

A great driving charge saw Mongston , who had a courageous game in the centre, crash over just on the stroke of half time with Josh Sharp adding the extras to make it 12/12 at the break .

The second half saw the visitors against the wind but starting well . The ball was worked downfield with strong runs by Jake Allen and then Luke Mongston . From a maul Harvey the 'snaffler' Howman scooted through for a great try converted by Sharp .

Another penalty saw Sharp put the ball into the 

Westcliff 22 and then several good runs from the visitors took it back to near the line with Tom Lewis diving over for another great score and against a strong wind Sharp again landed the kick . This third quarter was Letchworths best period of the game and certainly rattled the home side and quieted the large crowd .  

However , Westcliff struck back with a fine try worked from the half way to make it 19/26 after the kick had been added. 

As the game ebbed and flowed a lovely pass from Sharp saw Askham bursting through and the high tackle on him led to a penalty converted by Sharp . (19/29) 

Another high tackle by the Westcliff prop led to another yellow card and Letchworth back on the attack . As Westcliff ran the ball out an obstruction by Lewis saw the Letchworth eight receive a yellow so the sides were fourteen apiece 

Westcliff were now on Letchworths line with a five metre scrum and although driven off it Letchworth were under severe pressure with attack after attack being thwarted.

However with the letchworth injury list increasing a desperate series of drives saw Westcliff over for another seven pointer. 

So with only a few minutes left a real cliff hanging finish was in store as the clock slowly ticked away and the away faithful could only hope for the best.

The visitors kept possession and then a great break by Titherington saw him brought down just before the line but the ever conscious fly half Josh Sharp was on hand to dot down not only to secure victory but also to deny Westcliff a second losing bonus point.

So rapture for Legends after a great start to their new campaign but they will be well aware that tougher encounters await in the coming weeks not least with near neighbours Bedford Athletic coming to call next Saturday at the Lane . There will be a lunch beforehand all diners to contact Les Wilsher on 07827373927. Team from 1  

Robinson , Hughes Tim , Wilkinson , Wilcock,Walker, Peasnell, Askham, Lewis , Howman, Sharp , Allen , Mongston, Titherington , Warner-Sullivan , Gibbs  

RELATED ARTICLES

Letchworth Rugby Club updates as Legends gear up for an eagerly-awaited campaign on and off the field

Champions! Letchworth Invincibles lift silverware as league title winners as they extend unbeaten run to 37 matches

Letchworth Rugby Club Champions: See our Nub News gallery for more celebrations from Legends Lane Invincibles

Letchworth Rugby Club chairman Brian Burke after promotion celebrations: We certainly didn't have much beer left on Sunday