Old Millhillians 8 Hitchin 60 Hitchin started the New Year with a bang in a resounding league romp. The Hedgehogs produced rugby of such high quality that it made the travelling supporters agree the trip was well worth it for the non-stop entertainment on

Old Millhillians 8

Hitchin 60

Hitchin started the New Year with a bang in a resounding league romp.

The Hedgehogs produced rugby of such high quality that it made the travelling supporters agree the trip was well worth it for the non-stop entertainment on show.

From the kick-off, Hitchin received the ball and immediately set off an attack which resulted in the home side conceding a penalty which was converted by full-back Taff Thomas to start the scoreboard ticking over.

Within seconds this was followed by a concerted team effort with the back row of Joe Benucci, Chris Davies and Simon Banner driving up field.

They delivered the ball out of the tackle and quick hands in the backs provided Thomas with the space to dummy his pass, wrong foot the defence and cross for a fine opening try.

Hitchin received the ball again and without hesitating roared up field with the final pass going to left winger James Larman who put in a delicate grubber kick and beat the cover defence to the touchdown.

Larman followed this up with his second try within minutes when the team worked the ball up field at speed providing the young winger with the space to beat his man on the outside and score a fine try, converted by Thomas.

So, with only 10 minutes gone, Hitchin were 20 points up and running away with the game.

The Hedgehogs had a quick wake-up call when conceding a penalty which was converted to allow the home side to put points on the scoreboard.

Two more tries followed before half time with Aidan Barnett quick tapping a penalty and running in a try without any of the home defence laying a finger on him. This was converted by Thomas.

The final try was scored after a strong run by right winger Adam Shaw, again converted by Thomas, putting the score 34-3 at half time in Hitchin's favour.

There were 26 points scored in the second half after coach Dave Marshall had given his team talk and patrolled the touchline making sure that his players did not allow the game to slow down.

A third try from Larman began the half followed by three tries by Kiwi centre Jimmy Scott all varied in their execution and relying on a great amount of team work by both forwards and backs.

The best try was a length of the field attack after solid defence almost on the Hedgehogs' line resulted in turnover ball.

A break initiated by Scott and supported by Shaw and a great deal of interpassing ending in a well-earned third try for the outside centre.

Only a lack of concentration allowed the home side a consolation try near the end.

But the final score demonstrated the Hitchin side's domination of almost every aspect of the game.

Fine performances were put in by man of the match Benucci and the veteran second row Dougie Brooker with full-back Thomas scoring 23 points on his own.

Captain Carwyn Morgan said after the game that the score was due to speed, support play and fitness and was a result of the hard work put in by the coaching team led by Marshall.

The Hedgehogs entertain Royston in a Herts President's Trophy tie this Saturday (2pm ko).

Other scores: Hitchin II 15 Datchworth II 27; Mill Hill III 17 Hitchin III 5; Hitchin IV 12 Datchworth IV 24.