Chingford 24 Letchworth GC 10 THIS result was in doubt until the final quarter of an absorbing match. Two late body blows to the visitors enabled Chingford to take the spoils, albeit deservedly. The hosts were easily the most alert side for the first 10 m

Chingford 24 Letchworth GC 10

THIS result was in doubt until the final quarter of an absorbing match.

Two late body blows to the visitors enabled Chingford to take the spoils, albeit deservedly.

The hosts were easily the most alert side for the first 10 minutes as well.

Chingford's Henry Bond slotted an early penalty and then their physical pack drove to the line and centre Mark Lockwood went over for a try. Although Bond missed the kick, it looked as if Letchworth would be in for a torrid time.

But the game turned and Letchworth started to win the ball at the breakdown and the backs began to string some dangerous moves which put Chingford on the back foot.

Chingford lost a man to the sin bin for persistent infringement and Letchworth took advantage.

They drove the ball from 10 yards out and flanker Lindsay Hogg went over. Andy Atkinson narrowly missed with the conversion.

Minutes later, Jimmy Tirrell gathered the ball from a scrum and broke blind eluding three tackles in a spectacular 50-yard run. As he was being felled by the full-back, his pass found winger Danny South and he raced into the corner for another score to send Letchworth into the lead.

Bond had missed a sitter in front of the posts before he made amends on the stroke of half-time.

With the wind now at their backs, Letchworth thought they had done the hard work but they were sadly mistaken.

Chingford were prepared to run everything with their England student winger Galvin and centre Mark Lockhead dominant. The back row were also everywhere and turned over too much Letchworth ball.

Letchworth did not break out of their 22 for the first 10 minutes.

They did have a chance to take the lead with a penalty awarded five yards out after a great break by full-back Tim Gray.

However, the choice of a scrum led to the home side pinching the ball against the head, clearing the ball and setting up their own attack as Galvin went over in the corner.

Things then went from bad to worse for Letchworth and especially hooker Tavita Faamausili, who was due to fly to New Zealand for a wedding the day after.

A driven head in a ruck crunched against the hapless Samoan and a clean break of his arm was later diagnosed at the Lister Hospital.

The sturdy Faamausili (pictured below) still took his golf clubs with him though when he flew out on Sunday!

Two minutes later, Letchworth lost Phil Pearson to the sin bin for killing the ball and Bond put over a penalty in front of the posts.

Letchworth tried to make up for earlier lethargy and the last part of the game saw them deep in the Chingford half. But the ball was run up field and the Letchworth seven were clearly tiring as scrum-half Smith dived over in the last minute.

Fortunately other results went Letchworth's way on Saturday with all the clubs within one point losing.

They should also expect to win the majority of their remaining games as long as they keep up the same intensity for the full 80 rather than just 50 minutes!