December 2009 - February 2010
20th February
Hendon had a splendid win against Cheshunt by 11 point to 7.
23rd January
Back in Merit Table action at last following weeks of inactivity and a humbling result in a friendly a week earlier, Hendon 2nds returned against Old Grammarians 2's.
With a good squad turning out and being relatively well prepared, the Dons got off to a dream start. The game plan of "pin them in their half and put the pressure on" worked wonders because after five minutes Alex Whitacker back on the pitch after a shoulder dislocation in the first game of the season crossed from 15 meters out with a strong run from fly half.
Then straight from the kick off more dominant forward play had the Hendon knocking at the door once more and Laurence Lennon was unlucky to be denied from close out, Howeverafter the following ruck Brian Gilbride crashed over to stretch the lead. With the successful conversion followed Hendon now led 12points to nil.
After a stolen lineout on Hendon´s own 5 meter line and a break from young Joe Haugie up the pitch with Helio Vincente in close support the move ended with Grammarians lucky to not have a player sin-binned after Helio was taken out off the ball in a scoring position.
The referee made up for it soon after when Aessandro Okret made a dart up the blind side and was taken high close to the line. A penalty try followed and was converted to take the score to 19 points to nil. With half time approaching after more pressure on OGs line and coming up against rallying defence Hendon took a penalty kick to make the score 22-0.
The pace of the game slowed and the contest became more even in the second half, with only one try being scored. This time by OGs, But Joe Haugie was unlucky for the referee not to be in a better position to see him knock the opposition winger clear into touch with sheer determination, However, the try was awarded with many incredulous looks and bitten tongues Hendon didn't let it get to them and closed the match out for a much needed boost to their campaign.
With a final score of 22 points to 5, Hendon 2nd's now are 4th in Merit League 3.
Captain Paddy Short said ´this was a great result we were well beaten last week but with in jured players coming back and a full squad we showed what we could do. We now look forward with more confidence to playing Welwyn next week´.
12th December
Hendon 2nds 12pts Old Albanians 17pts
Without a league fixture Hendon's 1st team went Christmas shopping but the 2nd string had no such pleasure with a close run contest against Old Albanians.
The visitors requested uncontested scrums from the off, which is allowed in Merit Tablegames but which meant that Hendon's better front five could not compete for the ball.
Old Albanian's were first on the scoresheet after just two minutes as Hendon's defence did not clear a kick over their heads and the visitors scored an easy try uphill, which was converted to put them in front nil points to seven.
However, Hendon soon responded with a rolling maul to cross from the 22 metre line to equalise the score at seven points each. Hendon continued to push forward and in the closing mins of the half were rewarded with a back's move resulting in an unconverted try to take the lead at 12 ppoints to seven.
Old Albanian's were now downhill in the second half and used the same tactics as Hendon rolling over a try to equalise at 12 points each.
With the match coming to a conclusion and both defences standing firm, a draw looked to be on the cards. But Hendon's defense lapsed and Old Albanian's scored the match winning try with a minute to spare.
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