National Colts Plate Sudbury Colts 17 Hitchin Colts 45 Hitchin Colts travelled to Sudbury in Suffolk for the National Colts Plate suffering from injuries and unavailability, but such was the spirit of the side that winger Sam Rushbrook moved in to play

National Colts Plate

Sudbury Colts 17 Hitchin Colts 45

Hitchin Colts travelled to Sudbury in Suffolk for the National Colts Plate suffering from injuries and unavailability, but such was the spirit of the side that winger Sam Rushbrook moved in to play hooker.

Sudbury started well and it was quickly apparent that they had a good big pack of forwards and they intended to play up front. They soon went in front for an unconverted try from a catch and drive in the lineout.

Hitchin were stuttering to get into their game in the first 20 minutes and there were a few handling errors but the difference in skill levels was clear for all to see.

Hitchin upped the tempo and the first Hitchin try came from great passing and speed from the back-line before Chris Betts blasted over the line.

Hitchin's second try came when Chris Caldwell hit the line from the second phase ball and led the Sudbury defence on a merry dance before diving under the posts.

Another try followed soon after when from a ruck George hit the ball into the Sudbury defence as ever supported by Robbie Smith, Will Jeffries and Duane Brand.

Daniel Scott got hands on and showed great strength to power over for the try.

Sudbury were never out of the game and they came back to score, another loss of concentration from the Hitchin defence.

Fitness started to tell and the lean Hitchin pack that were struggling with the Sudbury body weight in the first 20 were now dominating almost every phase of the game.

Chris Betts again scored a superb try showing true pace. Sudbury were not the type of team to roll over and have their tummies rubbed and came back to score under the posts when a defensive error from the Hitchin pack was pounced on.

Hitchin's next try came when Duane Brand found himself in space on the Sudbury 22 and sidestepped a number of defenders to take a great try. Elliot Miller entered the line with a cutting angle stepped a defender and fed Nuts, who turned on the pace to feed Duane for his second try.

Hitchin were now in total control of the game and ended on a high. Sudbury had lost a number of players due to contact injuries, many caused by Duane, Nuts and George but were lucky to have replacements. Christie and Nuts finished the game with a great run down the left wing and showed great hands to create a try.