Southend Saxons 36 

Letchworth GC     38 

It was nearly 20 years ago when Letchworth last played Southend in the old National Cup. The North Herts side were 19/0 down at half time but managed to sneak the win by a single point 20/19. This time it was not a tale of two halves as the lead changed hands several times in a pulsating encounter which tested Legends skills , determination and desire to win to the limit 

. In truth the game could have swung either way in the last ten minutes but Letchworth had the rub of the green as the ultra reliable Southend kickers last minute penalty dropped agonisingly short . So on the second visit ever to Southend they doubled the margin to two points and cue great rejoicing from the large travelling support and players alike . 

From the start Legends knew they were in for a hard afternoon . The massive Southend front five held sway at scrum time and their lively backs and half backs oozed danger in attack 

After an early good spell by the visitors Southend broke out and a flowing move saw popular winger Nagy go over for a seven pointer . 

Minutes later a great scrum from the visitors saw the ball whipped quickly through the backs hands and an inspired Tatenda Gurure took the ball at pace and broke two tackles to go over with Sharp adding the extras 

Back came the Seasiders with another well worked try in the opposite corner which went unconverted into the breeze 

However just as it seemed Southend might take control back came Letchworth with his another great score . From their own 22 the ball was worked quickly until it reached the mercurial blindside Luke Mongston who produced two outrageous dummies before sending lightning centre Will Titherington free to score a great try which tied the scores at 12/12 . 

Letchworth were breaking out again when the referee blew a sharp blast on his whistle to give a Southend player a yellow card. 

This tilted the balance to the NorthHerts side for the remainder of the half and once settled in Southends red zone several drives led to Jack Askham going over with Sharp adding the extras just on the cusp of half time and the visitors leading by 12/19

However the first 10 minutes of the second half were as bad for Letchworth as they were good for Southend. A mistake from the kickoff saw the home side on the front foot and they went over for a great try. Minutes later Letchworth were again in their 22 and although winning the scrum the ball squirted out and the Southend scrum-half gleefully scampered over the line for another seven points. The long deeper kicking game by the Southend flyhalf Lloyd was dictating the match at this stage however true to form legends came back again. 

Skipper Fitts who once more led by example won great ball at the lineout . The ball was floated to new replacement second row Ali Gibbs whose first touch of the ball in the black and amber colours brought a run of nearly 50 metres . Following a penalty Letchworth went for the corner and then successive drives by Robinson and Peasnall led to Mongston going over by the posts and Sharp added the extras ……once more the scores were tied. 

However Legends were again guilty of a bad restart and with turnover ball the Southend half backs cut through to score under the Letchworth sticks . 

But with ten minutes to go Letchworth showed they were not out of it. A Great burst by Titherington ended with a high tackle and a yellow card for Southend . 

Once more Sharp put the ball deep into the Southend 22 and after several drives by the forwards the ball was worked on to the Blind side for Gurure to dive over in the corner. 

Against the breeze Sharp put over a brilliant kick to again tie the scores at 33/33 

With only six minutes to go the tireless Rambo Hughes was harshly adjudged to have held on on the ten metre line . Up stepped the home sides kicker to plant the ball clean through the posts and the home sides spectators were jubilant thinking this was the end . 

However only a minute later Letchworth won a penalty and with dissent a further 10 metres The kick was now kickable however Josh Sharp elected to go to the corner ….. a brave decision ! 

Again the driving maul from the letchworth forwards proved to be unstoppable as Jack Askham emerged with the ball and a slender two-point lead. Sharps kick faded wide but as the clock turned to 80 minutes Legends reckoned they had done enough …. Wrong as it turned out there was one final twist! 

From the kick off Letchworth played fine possession rugby working their way towards the half way line but then O Lordy the referees arm was raised for a last gasp penalty to Southend . 

A hush descended on the ground but this time to the visitors delight it just did not have the legs . 

Sharp took a quick 22 and fed Titherington who banged it out for the final play and an epic victory for Legends over worthy opponents 

Heroes all but coach Basra gave plaudits to skipper Fitts and Mongston for stand out performances sending the side to second in the league

Next week it is back to legends Lane for another hard encounter with Norfolk's capital city Norwich

There is a lunch beforehand and all support is welcomed 

Contact Brian Burke on 07768274037

Team from 1 

Robinson 

Askham

Hughes 

Wilcock 

Peasnall 

Mongston 

Fitts Capt

Lewis

Howman 

Sharp. V Capt 

Gurure

Davies

Titheringrton 

Gibbs C 

Tate

Gibbs A 

Toomey