UCS Old Boys 47 Hitchin 5 THIS was Hitchin s heaviest defeat in four seasons. Hitchin started well competing in both the set pieces and the loose going close to scoring twice. But a mis-kick allowed the Old Boys full back space to run the ball 50 yards

UCS Old Boys 47

Hitchin 5

THIS was Hitchin's heaviest defeat in four seasons.

Hitchin started well competing in both the set pieces and the loose going close to scoring twice.

But a mis-kick allowed the Old Boys' full back space to run the ball 50 yards and put his hooker and captain in under the posts for a converted try.

Resolute defence from Jimmy Scott and Dan Squire saw Hitchin keep the score line at 7-0 until only moments before the half time whistle when missed tackles cost them dearly and the home centre scored a second try under the posts.

Hitchin, quite clearly waiting for the half time whistle, were caught napping again when a kick by the UCS centre that looked as if it was going into touch, bounced kindly for the UCS winger who popped a well timed pass inside to his supporting scrum-half to score the third try of the afternoon.

This try was converted and in the blink of an eye Hitchin had gone from trailing 7-0 with only a couple of minutes to go until half time to 21-0.

The first 10 minutes of second half showed that Hitchin were able to compete and again made significant inroads into the UCS half but were to come away empty handed due to silly penalties, poor handling and protection of the ball.

UCS again capitalised and counter attacked again scoring another converted breakaway try to lead 28 - 0.

Hitchin finally got on the scoreboard through veteran winger Dermot Coughlan following an impressive break by substitute full back Chris Martin.

Unfortunately this was to be the only highlight of the day for Hitchin despite the efforts of Hitchin scrum half and man of the match Dan Squire, who at times looked like he was playing UCS on his own.

Stand-in skipper for the day Jimmy Scott said: "We showed in the first 10 minutes of each half that we were able to compete, however our poor ball retention and our inability to win clean set piece ball cost us dearly.

"We turned the ball over a ridiculous amount of times and it's very hard to score points without it.

"Yes we've got injuries, but the players on the field today are all capable of very good rugby.

"We just let ourselves down by not doing the basics and with Grasshoppers at home this weekend we're going to have to address this.

"For the sake of our season, there can't be a repeat of what happened on Saturday.