A night out in Hitchin

Hitchin rugby club was the Monday night venue for the first of this seasons international fixtures against a Canadian touring side. This match was an U18 contest between a combined Letchworth/Stevenage team and F E Madill secondary school's "Mustangs" from Ontario, Canada. Unfortunately, the home side were somewhat depleted due to injuries picked up during a match the previous day but the Mustangs gallantly loaned 3 players to make the home side up to the full 15. With Nikki injured and unable to play, Hayley stepped in as fly-half and captain.

Also at Hitchin was last year's captain, Katie, who took on First Aid duties for the evening ...


The match was very keenly contested with play moving end to end and both sides having several opportunities to score which were denied only by dogged defence work. Eventually a typically powerful run by Hayley saw her break through to score out on the right wing but the visitors were soon on the attack and breaking through to equalise with a well-worked try.

The second half continued in similar vein. Unfortunately, an ankle injury to one of the visitors necessitated a trip to the Lister hospital (having taken Nikki there on Sunday evening, this was my second visit in 24 hours .... all players please note that I do not wish to have to take any more of you there again this season - so injuries are banned for the remainder of the season!). Although we missed the final quarter, I have been reliably informed that it was one of the most even games of the season and was finally decided by a try from Jess who broke from a ruck near the Mustang's line to score. All in all this was a superb game and particular praise must be given to the Mustang girls who sportingly played their hearts out for Letchworth/Stevenage.

I am also pleased to be able to report that the injured Mustang player, Cheryl, was able to rejoin her teammates in Stevenage on Monday evening following checks at the Lister. Very best wishes for a speedy recovery from everyone at Letchworth - we hope your ankle gets better for rugby and hockey really soon.

Photography under floodlights is, can I say, rather interesting ... while some parts of the pics are clear others are blurred beyond recognition! I've included a few of the less blurred ones for your entertainment ....

... yes, these really are the less blurred ones!

Footnote :

When we left the hospital, I realised that the signed photo we had prepared for the Mustangs was still in my car so, to make up for a rather dreary 2+ hours at the hospital, Katie presented the photo to the injured Cheryl to take back to her teammates ....

Result : Letchworth/Stevenage 10 Mustangs 5

Letchworth scorers :

Tries : Hayley, Jess