London NZ 23 Hitchin 22

Tuesday, November 1, 2011
3:14 PM

Hogs defeats after giving too many first half points away

London New Zealand 23 Hitchin 22

A blustery afternoon in London saw Hitchin give too many first half points away to be able to take the points in this league fixture.

The first half, playing against the wind, once again saw a display of sterling defence from the young Hogs but London NZ still managed to cross their three times. A solitary break away try from winger James Larman was all Hitchin had to show for the half and they reached halftime trailing 17-5.

With the wind in their favour in the second half Hitchin began to make inroads into the strong Kiwi defence, but loose kicks often let the home side off the hook.

After 19 minutes of second half play a second break away try from winger James Larman and the subsequent conversion from fly half Rob Vivian in addition to a penalty had brought Hitchin right back into the game at 17-15, but as Hitchin were looking to try to wrestle control of the game from their hosts two needless penalties in their own 22m area allowed London NZ to convert penalties to take an eight point lead.

As the game moved into its final stages all the play was now on the Kiwi line which finally broke when centre Rob Willoughby crashed through for a converted try, but it was, however, the last play of the match as the successful conversion also brought the final whistle.

Hitchin: Llywelyn, Benucci, Drury, Panton, Arbon, Ian, Banner, C Taylor, E Taylor, Vivian, Larman, Willoughby, Merritt, Lippard, Southward. Subs: Bellamy, Hobbs, Banton.