Saturday 20th February 2010
Hendon RFC 32 points Harlequin Amateurs 14 points.
Hendon got off to a poor start as they defended the Copthall slope and conceded two sloppy penalties, giving the visitors a six points advantage. Then in their first attack upfield having fended off a continual Quins onslaught, Hendon slotted over a penalty from scrum half Diarmuid Waters. But Quins returned to the Hendon half again, and whilst the home outfit kept up their defence Quins stretched their lead to 3 points to nine with another penalty. Then with the last move of the first half, Hendon were up on the Quins 22 metre line and from a scrum, O'Regan and Lennon drove a maul to the Quins' line and Captain Eric Butler crashed through to score under the posts. This was converted by Waters and Hendon went into the second half with a slender lead of 10 points to nine.
However, after this late success, from the kick off in the second, Quins collected and ran the ball wide on the left flank, catching Hendon on the back foot to score in the corner an unconverted try to take back the lead 10 points to 14. Hendon were still struggling to get into top gear and were forced to defend again for the next 10 minutes when the turning point came. It was Aiden Kelly who then collected a high kick in defence and ran at the oppositon the wing, kicked over his defender, who illegally tackled him without the ball to allow Waters to convert another penalty. This took Hendon within one point at 13 points to 14.
From here on it was all Hendon. After a tap penalty, Hendon went 20 points to 14 up as prop Tony Connor took on three defenders to score, with another successful conversion by Waters. Then from a 10 metre line out Hendon attacked with the ball quickly moved down the back line to winger Voitek Walowicz who went over to score in the corner to put Hendon in complete conral at 25 points to 14. With the game won, Quins were still trying for another score but centre Ryan Owens intercepted on the Hendon 22 metre line to run the length of the pitch to score the fourth Hendon try. Linale converted to finish the coreline at 32 points to 14.
On Saturday 27th October Hendon travel to Old Actonians for a re-arranged League match left over from the snow.
Team:- Chapman, Kelly, Owens, Byrne, Walowicz, Blake, Waters (rep Linale), Julian, Gilbride, Connor, Lennon, Short, Connolly, Butler, O'Regan
Saturday 13th February 2010
Old Abbotstonians 11 points Hendon RFC 32 points
After a disappointing draw last week, Hendon travelled to Hillingdon to play Old Abbotstonians in a Hert Middlesex League One clash.
Hendon, with a squad depleted through injury and work commitments, took some time to settle down as they played with unfamiliar team mates and positions. This enabled Old Abbotstonians to take first blood with an early penalty, but Hendon held out until on the half hour hooker Dave Connell broke from loose play and passed to Helio Vicente to score wide out. Without their front line kicker, Ben Linale, this try went unconverted and then just before half time Old Abbotstonians also scored an unconverted try to lead by eight points to five.
Into the second half Hendon started to gel as a team with centre Ryan Owens going in under posts after a forward drive and slick passing by the backs. This time scrum half Dermot Walters converted and Hendon were back in the lead. The teams then exchanged penalties before Hendon's control began to take effect, with Dave Connell again in the action, scoring a try after a driving maul from his forward pack. This was unconverted but it was not long before Hendon were further ahead with number 8 Brian O'Regan taking the pop pass from a ruck, beating two tacklers and scoring a try under the posts. Dermot Walters again converted.
From then on it was only a matter of time till Hendon added to their score and this time it was open side flanker Aiden Kelly who crossed the line so that Hendon completed a satisfying win to take them up to fifth place in the table.
Team: T Gilbride, D Connell, T Connor, A Doyle, J P Shanahan (rep. C Towndrow), A Kelly, H Vincente, B O'Regan, D Walters, M Blake, W Walowicz, C Byrne, R Owens, M Chapman, J P Cremin.
Saturday 6th February
Hendon RFC 15pts Kilburn Cosmos RFC 15pts
Hendon controlled this game for 60 minutess but let Kilburn climb back to level in the last 5 minutes.
Hendon were uphill in the first half, keeping the visitors in a defensive position. After 10 minutes Linale kicked a penalty for Hendon to go 3 points up. As Hendon's pack maintained pressure, especially through Tony Connor and Chris Towndrow in the front row, a backrow move from Captain Eric Butler to Jamie Connolly to winger Voitek Walowicz to score under the posts brought more points. The try was converted by Ben Linaleand Hendon led by 10points to nil. From the kick off Hendon were upfield again and with the opposition not facing quick thinking from a 22 metre penalty by Ben Linale when he tapped the ball and ran to dive over in the corner. His conversion just went wide so hendon were 15 points ahead. Then just before half time Kilburn slotted over a penalty for a 15-3 scoreline.
Great defence from Kilburn in the second half, kept Hendon from further scores with one held up on the line. Then into the last five minutes with Hendon now on the defensive, the home side felt the onslaught and the visitors got their first try and conversion to make it 15 points to 10. Now with minutes to go Hendons defence collapsed and Kilburn scored in the corner to end the match. This meant a League point apiece with Kilburn staying above Hendon on points difference..
Hendon Team: Connor,Towndrow, Anthony, Doyle, Short, O'Regan, Connolly, Butler ( Capt.), Linale, Blake,Walowicz, Owen, Whittaker, Chapman, Cremin
Saturday 30th Janaury
Hendon RFC 0pts Old Haberdashers 38pts
This was a lamentable display by Hendon, recording their worse defeat of the season and a wake up call that if this sort of performance were to continue then relegation becomes a probability. Even the Hab's Manager commented that Hendon had "not turned up" as his team easily took control and kept their hosts on the back foot.
Haberdashers were the better side and took a 21pt lead in the 1st half, whilst Hendon had their chances but lady luck was also against them with failed penalty kicks and poor handling costing them vital points. After five minutes downhill Hendon were down by a penalty. Hendon then pushed upfield but a penalty chance to level went wide. A Hendon defensive error saw the visitor's heavier pack push over for their first try to go 10 points up. On the half hour Hendon had conceded two further penalties as they struggled in defence. With half time approaching on a rare attacking move they were awarded a very kickable penalty, but again kicked wide. Then another poorly defended long kick from Habs saw their winger score an easy try out wide to take a 0-21 lead.
Hendon on the turnround had the benefit of playing downhill, which on any other day would have put to good use but soon Habs broke through the defence to score under the posts and then followed up with another penalty as they kept Hendon going backwards to take the score 0-31.
Hendon in the last 15 minutes managed to create some space but attacking moves went astray. With heads down, the final whistle came shortly after another breakaway try to take the final score to 38 points to nil.
Before this coming Saturday's re-arranged league match against Kilburn Cosmos, Hendon will have to regroup.
Team. Chapman(repl. Whittaker), Anyim, Connolly,Owens, Walowicz, Blake, Linale, Towndrow, O'Regan, Gilbride, Doyle, McEnemy, Butler, Kelly, Mutuma,
Saturday 23rd January
Hendon RFC 8pts Verulamian RFC 6pts
Hendon resumed their League and Rugby season since the last match back in early December.
Captain Eric Butler was full of praise for his team " this was a very tight game, not helped by an unfortunate refereeing mistake which nearly cost us the match. In our first game since December 12th we were very rusty and with key players still out injured and not available, we still managed to control the game and book another 2 points in the League to officially sign off the first half of the season in fourth position."
Hendon were upfield in the first half and took the lead after 15 minutes after a long kick from Kevin Owens, making his debut for Hendon, was fielded by Verulamians who were caught and penalised for not releasing; Ben Linale converted for a 3-0 lead.
Minutes later Verulamian were awarded a penalty after their first attacking move in the Hendon half of the pitch, which they converted 3-3.
Both teams then missed a penalty each and with Linale hitting the post the ball was collected by Walowicz for Hendon who was held up on the try line.
Then controversy, as Hendon's Kelly was running from defence, he was high tackled and advantage was played. The referee stopped the advantage and as Hendon had been in possession incorrectly gave the penalty to Verulamian. They kicked the goal and went ahead 3 points to 6.
Into the second half Hendon's pack were dominant with the second row of McEnemy and Doyle impressive. However Verulamian's defence held out to the 30th minute when Hendon's pack pushed their opposition tey again into reverse and as they drove over No. 8 Cosy Mutuma scored the match winning try. This was not converted as Linale was now off injured.
Into the last seconds Verulamian were awarded a kickable penalty but luckily for the home outfit it went wide and Hendon had the two League points.
The next test will be Saturday 30th January when Hendon are home to Old Haberdashers in the start of the second half of the season.
Team Cremin, Walowicz, Owens, Connolly, Chapman, Blake, Linale ( replace Whittaker), Gilbride, Connell, Connor, McEnemy,Doyle, Butler, Kelly, Mutuma.
Saturday 5th December
Old Grammarians 17pts Hendon 16pts
After being in front of Old Grammarians for much of this league encounter, Hendon conceded the lead with 3 minutes to the final whistle. Hendon were without a number of key players after their triumph over Wasps the previous week and this showed through in the end.
Starting downhill Hendon were ahead 3 points to nil from a Ben Linale penalty kick after just 2 minutes. However, sustained pressure from OG's heavier forwards kept Hendon pinned in defence for much of the first half and after 25 minutes they conceded a penalty for OG's to draw level at 3 points each.
Hendon broke out of defence in the 35th minute and another penalty to Linale following a high tackle put them in front by 3 points. Just before half time, Hendon's Lee Linale pushed a long kick downfield into touch. From the line-out Terry Gilbride collected to put Laurence Lennon on the charge, but he was stopped short. But again Ben Linale was on hand to pick up and give to Jamie Connolly, who found JP Cremin and then looped round to take the return pass to score in the corner to give the visitors the lead 11 points to 3.
Into the second half and immediately OG's pack were on the Hendon line for a pushover try to close the scoring to 8 points to 11.
From the restart an OG's defender mishandled, Ben Linale kicked through the loose ball and charged it down to score an unconverted try and stretch the lead to 16 points to 8. OG's big pack playing downhill then pressured Hendon, who conceded 2 penalties in quick succession, which were both converted. With 20 minutes to go the pressure was on Hendon to maintain their slender lead of 16 points to 14. Hendon resisted until the very last minutes constantly taking the game upfield into the OGs half. However, with just 3 minutes to hold out OG's pushed downfield for a last gasp attempt. Hendon were caught offside and OG's slotted over a penalty to take the victory at 17-16.
This Saturday, Hendon 1sts with no league fixture play a friendly before their next league encounter on the 19th December at home against Verulamians.
Team. Handley, Chapman, Walowicz, Blake, Cremin, L.Linale, B.Linale, Gilbride, Towndrow, Julian. Connell, Lennon, O'Regan, Connolly, Mutuma, Replacement Hayes
Saturday 28th November
Hendon 24pts Wasps Amateurs 18pts
Hendon inflict First League defeat of Season on Wasps.
Another clean quick line out from the pack
Every Hendon player played his part in a thrilling game that pushed Wasps off their top spot in the League. The home crowd was boosted by large numbers of Vice Presidents and previous players and they were treated to a great performance. The home outfit were always in control and great displays were seen again from Hendon's half back pairing of the Linale brothers, centre's Jamie Connolly and Chris Byrne and the front row with hooker Chris Towndrow outstanding.
Wasps were playing downhill in the first half and claimed the first points of the match after three minutes with a penalty. However, Hendon's pack pushed upfield and Ben Linale slotted over a penalty having had one penalty kick narrowly miss and then one hit the upright to equalise at three points all. On 17 minutes from another attacking move centre Chris Byrne chipped over the Wasps' defence to collect and run in a simple try, which was not converted to take Hendon into the lead eight points to three. As sometimes happens however, from the restart sloppy Hendon defence saw an easy try to the visitors in the corner to level the scores at eight points each. Hendon hit back though and on the last play of the half Ben Linale slotted over another penalty so that Hendon turned round playing uphill ahead by 11 points to eight.
Hendon soon got on top in the second half with Ben Linale kicking Hendon further ahead as Wasps were caught offside from the dominant Hendon pack. Mid way through the half Wasps pushed upfield, mauled and pushed over the line with the referee unsighted. The try was awarded but the conversion was missed and Wasps closed the gap to 14-13.
In previous games this was where the League leaders saw off their opponents but not this time as Hendon's pack once again drove their way forward helped by some long kicks by Lee Linale and constant follow ups from the centre pairing of Byrne and Connolly. The reward came from a 22 metre scrum which Hendon pushed the visitors back to their line and No 8 Eric Butler picked up to score. Ben Linale converted to take Hendon two scores ahead at 21-13. Then from the restart on 72 minutes Hendon sealed the game after Cosy Mutuma put in a long defensive clearance kick which created another Hendon attack from stand off, Lee Linale, who was high tackled for a penalty which his brother Ben converted to take the score to 24 points to 13. However, just as with their last league game against Harlequins, Hendon relaxed and allowed Wasps with the last play of the game to go over for a consolation try for a final score-line of 24 points to 18.
Team. Julian, Towndrow, Gilbride, Connell (replaced by Butler), Mutuma, Doyle, Kelly, O'Regan, Linale B, Linale L, Walowicz, Connolly, Byrne, Chapman, Cremin.
Replacements Handley, Lennon
Head Coach John Ryan thinks about his options. After the game he said 'I am delighted with the performance against the unbeaten League leaders. Earlier in the season we were failing to close out games when we were leading but today we almost had a full 80 minutes of total commitment. Wasps try at the end didn't affect the result but it's the second league game when we have let the opposition score with the last play of the match. At the end of the season points difference may be crucial.'
Next Saturday 5th December Hendon visit Old Grammarians for their next league encounter.
Saturday 14th November
Harlequin Amateurs 15pts Hendon RFC 23pts
Connelly brothers demolish the mighty Quin
Hendon back in League action after a week off followed by a friendly travelled to Teddington on the day of an International match at Twickenham and, despite the long and tedious journey through traffic, won this match in the second half after being on the back foot for much of the first period.
Hendon kicked off into almost gale force winds which gave the advantage to Harlequins. Within minutes Hendon had conceded two penalties - the second was converted and Quins were under way. Then a defensive error by Hendon's otherwise strong defence allowed in Quins' powerful outside centre to score under the post and consequently, within 15 minutes the home team were 10 points to nil up. As play continued to take place within the Hendon half of the pitch, returning captain Eric Butler rallied his men who fought off a continual Quins onslaught until half time.
Now though it was Hendon's turn to utilise the wind and they did so to good effect with Quins conceding a penalty slotted over by Ben Linale for 10-3. Then a long kick downfield by stand-off Lee Linale was chased down by man of the match, flanker Aiden Kelly, who set up the maul. Hendon won quick ball and a break by centre Tom Connolly on the burst from the 22 line sliced open the Quins' defence to score a try, which was converted by Ben Linale. The teams were now level at 10 points apiece but 30 minutes into the half Hendon's forwards playing as a complete unit maintained the pressure and caught Quins offside. Ben Linale made no mistake, putting the visitors ahead 10 points to 13.
Hendon did not let up the pressure and with five minutes to go, it was Kelly again to set up the move for prop forward Chris Towndrow to feed Jamie Connolly who cut the Quins defence to ribbons for the match winning try. This was converted by Ben Linale 10-20 who followed it up with another successful penalty after concerted pressure on the Quins' line. With the game won and into the last play of the match, Hendon relaxed and allowed the home side a last attack and Quins scored from a poorly defended move in the corner.
The conversion was missed and the final whistle was blown for a 15-23 scoreline which flattered the Harlequins.
Team:- Cremin, Walowicz, Tom Connolly, Jamie Connolly, Chapman, Lee Linale, Ben Linale, Gilbride, Towndrow, Julian, Doyle, Connell, Kelly, Butler, Lennon,
replacements:- Carey for Chapman, Connor for Lennon
Saturday 24th October
Hendon RFC 16pts Old Abbotstonians 12pts
Hendon pulled off their second League win of the season after absorbing early pressure from Abbotstonians and stay fourth in the Table on points difference.
In the first 12 minutes the game was played in the Hendon half with the home outfit conceding two kickable penalties which luckily for Hendon both went wide.Then a long kick from defence by Hendon fullback John Paul Cremin led to Abbotstonians giving away a penalty, which Ben Linale duly slotted over. This was followed by another penalty minutes later and Hendon were ahead 6 points to nil after 15 minutes.
Hendon's front five forwards now dictated play pushing Abbotstonians off their own ball with second row Tony Connor and Man of the Match No 8 Cosy Mutuma dominating. Abbotstonians then changed tactics and mauled the ball upfield catching Hendon offside and converted their penalty for a half time score of 6 points to 3.
Playing uphill just minutes into the second half, and another successful penalty from Ben Linale's boot pushed the score to 9 points to 3. Hendon kept the pressure on and within another few minutes an Abbostonians scrum was won against the head by hooker Dave Connell on their 22 metre line. With Abbotstonians defence taken by surprise scrum half Ben Linale made the break and passed inside to Cosy Mutuma for the only try of the match. Ben Linale added the two points for the conversion and Hendon had a 16points to 3 lead.
For the next 15 minutes Abbotstonians pushed downfield and Hendon in defending gave away 3 easy penalties, all converted closing the score to 16 points to 12. But Hendon regrouped on the half hour and took the game back upfield, as the visitors tired, with a superb attacking run by stand off Michael Blake passing to Mutuma who was stopped on the line. For the last ten minutes of this tense encounter Hendon camped in the Abbotstonians half to take the win and two valuable points in the League.
Team:- Cremin, Chapman, Walowicz, Connelly, Nunez, Blake, Linale, Gilbride, Connell, Julian, Short, Connor ( repl O'Regan ), Kelly, Patten, Mutuma
Saturday 17th October
Old Haberdashers 26 pts Hendon RFC 18 pts
Hendon did all the hard work in the first half going uphill and finishing with a 3 point lead. However, into the second half it was the home outfit, changing their tactics to come back as the winners.
From the start, it was Hendon's forwards pushing upfield and causing Habs to concede penalties which Ben Linale duly converted fo a 0-6pt lead after 10 minutes. But, a poor clearance from Hendon was intercepted by Habs to run in an easy try to take the initiative 7points to 6. Habs heavier forwards then mauled over against the run of play and scored an unconverted try in the corner to tgake the lead 12-6 after 20 mins.
Hendon then pushed upfield again from kicks ahead by Lee Linale and individual runs by Cosy Mutuma and Chris Towndrow. Habs defence held firm but in the closing minutes of the half penalties were conceded which Ben Linale duly slotted over for a turnround lead of 12 points to 15.
Habs now uphill then relied on their forwards who rolled over Hendon and it was Hendon who were now penalised allowing Habs to take the lead after 25mins at 18-15 with 2 successful penalty kicks.
Hendon's defensive organisation was punished by the Habs forwards again pushing Hendon back with a resultant try giving them an 8 point lead at 23-15.
With 5 minutes left Hendon's Ben Linale closed the scoreline to 23-18 with a penalty. Hendon pushing for the try to take the win were pressing downfield but had to chase back as Habs cleared and then finished off with a last minute drop goal 26-18.
On Saturday 24th October Hendon face Old Abbotstonians at home
Team :- Gilbride, Towndrow, Julian, Short, Doyle, Patten ( repl. Kelly ) , J. Connolly, Mutuma, Iwasawa (repl. Handley) L. Linale ( Capt.), Walowicz, Blake, T.Connolly, B. Linale, Cremin
Saturday 10th October
Hendon RFC 57pts Old Actonians RFC 15pts
Despite being without their captain, Eric Butler, who is likely to be out for a number of weeks with injury, Hendon powered to their first League win of the season after a disappointing September.
Assistant Coach Dave Maskell commented " We have been scoring tries but our defence has let us down with soft tries. John Ryan and I worked with the players in training and we are delighted with the players response and the result. Now with our full squad available we can move forward."
Old Actonians were under immediate pressure from the home outfit with Hendon winger Ben Linale scoring after 2mins and then converting his own try. Hendon's pack soon dominated their counterparts especially the front row of Towndrow, Gilbride and the formidable Paul Julian. From the solid set pieces Linale on 15mins slotted over a penalty and then ran in his 2nd try minutes later.
From a Hendon forwards charge it was Towndrow on the scoresheet next with Linale again converting for a 22-0 lead. Old Actonians in the last 10 mins got back into the game with a well worked move upfield to score and then added a penalty to make it 22-8, but Linale's boot added 2 more penalties to finish the first half with Hendon leading 28-8.
Into the second half, centre Tom Connolly added two quick tries as the gaps appeared with Linale converting the second. Fullback John Paul Cremin then came into the attack finishing off two superb backs' moves taking the score to 50-8. As Hendon sat back, Actonians scored a consolation try, but Hendon had the last word with a penalty try converted by Linale for a final score of 57 points to 15 .
Team. Gilbride, Towndrow, Julian, Doyle, McEnemy(repl. Connell), Patten, J. Connolly (repl. Kelly), Mutuma, Iwasawa, L. Linale (Capt.), B.
Saturday 3rd October
Ilford Wanderers 24 pts Hendon 17pts
Hendon depart the National RFU Junior Vase competition in the 1st round in a game that was contested up to the final whistle. Once again Hendon had to try to come from behind as their defence let them down and allowed the home outfit, Ilford Wanderers (from Essex League 1) two easy tries in each of the first and second halves and although they dominated the match for much of the second half it was too late.
Playing into a very strong wind, Hendon claimed their 1st penalty after 4 minutes, but the wind took it wide. This season's injury jinx hit again when in the tenth minute 2nd row forward, Tony Connor clashed heads and retired with a head wound. Soon after Hendon conceded a 5mtre penalty and with the pack not settled after the replacement, they were turned allowing a breakaway into the corner for an unconverted try.
Using the wind to their advantage on the half hour, Ilford ran in an easy try from the 22, with the player running round Hendon's defence as they stood still. Then Hendon's fullback Cremin kicked a long ball upfield, which was poorly defended and Hendon were awarded a 5mtre scrum. Dave Connell picked up but was held up over the line and the same heppened at the next scrum to Kosy Mutuma. However, from the 3rd scrum winger Charles crashed through to score making it 12 points to 5 at half time.
Into the second half it was Hendon camping in the Ilford half of the pitch and after 8mins Ben Linale had kicked 2 penalties for a 12-11 scoreline.
Hendon were not finished as Linale slotted over another penalty with 5mins to go 24-17, but again Hendon ran out of time as the final whistle blew with them attacking on the Ilford 5mtre mark.
Saturday 26th September
Kilburn Cosmos 29pts Hendon 26pts
Hendon, having lead the game for the 1st hour and with victory in sight, lost their way in the last 20 minutes to loose by 3pts.
Kilburn's heavier and more robust forwards soon dominated play but were stopped from scoring by excellent Hendon defence. Then after 15mins it was Ben Linale for Hendon who kicked his 1st penalty goal from 1/2 way. Soon after it was Linale again who collected the ball out wide to run round the Kilburn defence to score, converting to take Hendon 0-10 ahead.
Kilburn with tight forward play pushed over to score in the corner for 5-10 scoreline; but Hendon ran again from scrappy possession for centre Voitec Walowicz to score for a 5-15 lead. As 1/2 time approached Hendon's defence faltered and Kilburn scored a soft try to come back to 12-15. On the stroke of 1/2 time it was Linale again who kicked a long penalty to extend the lead to 12-18.
Into the 2nd 1/2 Hendons back division again penetrated the Kilburn defence after captain Eric Butler drove up field before releasing "Buzz" Nunez to score, creating an 11 point lead at 12-23.
Kilburn fought back and started to get on top with their forwards keeping the ball in hand and were rewarded with a penalty. Linale then slotted over another penalty but disaster struck as captain Eric Butler went off injured, leaving them disjointed with the defence leaking a converted try and then in the last minute Kilburn struck again to clinch the match at 29-26 giving Hendon no time for a late rally.
Saturday 19th September
Hendon 29 Saracens Amateurs 38
For their first game following promotion Hendon were up against the experience of Saracens Amateurs, who finished 4th in this league last season, and they found the step up required even greater levels of concentration for the whole 80 minutes. Playing downhill Hendon were well ahead in the first half by 15 clear points having controlled the game well despite losing centre Alex Whittaker with a dislocated collar bone within the first five minutes of the game.
They then let in two tries with just minutes to half time to let Saracens back into the game. Worse was to come because they started the second half slowly and in a 10 minute spell let their opponents in again for three more tries. Suddenly they found themselves 38 to 15 points down and facing a cricket score against them. However, they rallied, went back to their game plan and wrested control of the game back from Saracens and scored two converted tries. But time ran out and the gap was too far to bridge in the time remaining.
Forwards Coach Dave Maskell studies the lineout
Hendon put pressure on in the scrum
Hendon started the scoring with a Ben Linale penalty, which was followed quickly by a try for Michael Blake converted by Ben Linale. After 20 minutes following a powerful maul from the Hendon pack Prop Paul Julian went over in the corner. Ben Linale just missed the conversion. Perhaps a bit of complacency and over confidence crept in because Saracens started to get some possession and with a fast set of backs opened the Hendon defence twice. Two more soft tries - one from a rolling maul following a line-out and one from losing possession on half way allowing a run in - were gifted before Saracens scored their third of the half with a well worked backline move which opened the Hendon defence.
Ben Linale clears the line from a penalty
The fight back started with a well worked score for winger Robert Nunez, converted from a long way out by Ben Linale followed by a captain's try from Eric Butler after some strong pick and drives from his pack. Sadly, it all came too late.
Head Coach John Ryan said after the game 'scoring four tries against a very good team tells us we now know we can compete in this league. But we must up our concentration and fitness levels to get the consistency required for a winning season'.
Saturday 12th September
The team travelled over to Hackney to play a side from Old Streetonians but with many of the 1st team squad not available John Ryan's task to select for the League game against Saracens Amateurs on the 19th was not made any easier. However, this was their first real test of the season and John said 'at least it blew the cobwebs out as the opposition pushed hard throughout and at least the team now have 80 minutes of full contact rugby under their belts'.
Playing uphill in the first half Hendon were ahead after just two minutes with stand-off Scott Handley jinking through the defence from the 22 metre line for a try converted by Ben Linale. Hendon continued to attack but were frustrated by the number of penalties given against them, whilst Old Streetonians relied on the rolling maul which Hendon were able to nullify. Into the second half it was centre Voitek Walowicz at centre who crashed over from a Hendon scrum on the 22 metre line and this was followed by Michael Blake crossing from a break by Kosy Mutuma. With another Ben Linale conversion Hendon ran out comfortable winners at 19 points to nil.
John Ryan's final verdict was 'This was a scrappy performance and next week will provide the real test!'
Saturday 5th September 2009
With the league season not starting until 19th September the First XV played a friendly game was against a side from Welwyn RFC, which was a total mismatch, which we won by 85 points to nil and which told Head Coach John Ryan very little about our readiness for the season ahead.
Then another mistake as Hendons backs were attacking, Ilford intercepted a weak pass and the home outfit scored under the posts. Hendon pushed hard and another Linale penalty closed the scoreline to 19-14 However the Ilford stand off kicked long upfield and a 22 lineout saw Ilford run in another easy try from Hendon sloppy defence 24-14. Linale, T. Connolly, Blake, Walowicz (repl. Handley), Cremin.
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