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| Dan Phoenix evades the attentions of two Harpenden players. Picture: KKB_8753 |
London One North
Harpenden 15
Stevenage Town 22
Match abandoned
Stevenage Town and Harpenden will have to write to Herts RFU to explain their version of events after Saturday's match between the two sides had to be abandoned due to a mass brawl.
The referee called a halt to proceedings after 72 minutes when Harpenden winger Tom Muskett punched opposite number Michael Wilson and a fracas involving players and spectators ensued.
Both clubs have now been asked to provide statements to the RFU which will then be looked at by a disciplinary committee before being forwarded to a league committee.
They will then rule on what action to take against both clubs and whether the match will be replayed or awarded in Stevenage's favour as they were leading 22-15 at the time of the incident.
It is understood a decision will be made within three weeks.
Stevenage got off to a blistering start as they piled up a 22-0 lead within the first 20 minutes of the game. Sadly for them, they were unable to maintain this form throughout and gradually Harpenden did well to fight their way back into contention.
It was Wilson himself who opened the scoring when he made the most of a poor pass to him from a quick penalty and scored with ease. McReynolds converted.
Two minutes later, Tom Meller extended the lead after a fine take by Dan Phoenix from a poor clearance kick.
By now Town were rampant as Tavita Faamausili led from the front and Ben Hodge did good work clearing up around the fringes and it came as no surprise when Gareth Roberts carved through the home defence to run in from 25 yards.
Faamausili was ably supported by surging runs from Adam Amos and excellent tackling from Meller as Town were totally dominant.
Hodge was rewarded for his endeavour when he completed the Stevenage scoring after only 20 minutes. Faamausili emerged through a ruck and Hodge was on hand to score in the corner.
After such an electrifying start, it will be a mystery to coach Terry Penny what happened thereafter.
Harpenden saw a glimmer of hope when a poor clearance was collected by winger Pattison, who then ran in an excellent try and right on half time the home team further reduced the arrears with a successful penalty by Spiers. Suddenly, from being comfortable, the score was 8-22 as the teams went into half time.
There was an equally frantic start to the second half as Harpenden clawed their way back into the match. Town defended well as prop Neil Bamber put in a crunching tackle on his opposite number Peters, which unfortunately forced his early retirement from the action.
The home team piled on the pressure and they were rewarded in the 63rd minute with a try from Spiers, which he converted to bring Harpenden to within a score of levelling.
The opportunity for either side to add to their score was denied within a further nine minutes and Harpenden will have been left wondering whether they could have at least drawn level and Stevenage will have been asking themselves why they were unable to perform for the whole game as they did in the first 20 minutes.
Stevenage Town: Kyle Lemon, Ian Crompton, Stuart McReynolds, Gareth Roberts, Michael Wilson, Dan Phoenix, Gary Ottolangui, Barry Cook, Tavita Faamausili, Neil Bamber, Richard Penny (Phil Pearson 65 mins), Adam Amos, Ben Hodge, Tom Meller, Scott Quarmby. Subs not used: Alex Banna, Alex Willcox
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