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21st January 2012
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Ickenham
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0
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Hendon
|
29
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Middlesex Vase Competition Round 1
From the kick off Hendon went into the Ickenham 22, catching the defending fullback to set up the first move with scrum half Tony Sheehan moving the ball uphill on the blind side to stand-off Michael Blake, who created the overlap to JP Cremin whose final quick pass allowed Robert Nunez to score in the corner making it 0-5. Ickenham had been caught unawares as for the next 20 minutes they stopped further Hendon attacks, resulting in penalties against the visitors. However after a number of line clearances by Ickenham, they were finally put to the sword again by Hendon’s captain Brian O’Regan who crashed through the defence from a 5 metre scrum. Prop Alan Fortune was the next over on the half hour but the try was adjudged to have been held up and not given. Just before half-time a well worked back line move went down the line for winger Steve Brady to score and convert and Hendon were 17 -0 ahead into the break.
With the slope in their favour Hendon controlled the game in Ickenham territory but mistakes and a brave Ickenham defence kept the visitors at bay until the 30th minute, with a man short in the sin bin, Hendon defended out a rare Ickenham attack to set up a forward platform finished by Blake with Brady converting to make the score 0-24. In the closing minute, as the home outfit tired, Hendon’s driving pack were too strong and from a push to the line, it was O’Regan again to pick up and score under the post. To finish the match, the captain failed to convert the simple kick which cost him dearly in the bar afterwards.
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14th January 2012
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Hendon
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28
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Old Actonians
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21
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Hendon started the first half playing down the Hendon slope and were 12 points ahead after 10 minutes with two tries orchestrated by stand off Lee Linale. Winger JP Cremin finished off the tries with Steve Brady converting the second try. Both tries came from forward drives from the kick-off. Play for the next 20 minutes centred in mid field with no further advantage gained although Hendon maintained play in OA territory. Then a lapse in defence allowed the visitors to sit in the Hendon 22 with an easy try being conceded for a 12-7 scoreline as 2nd row Luke McEnemy lay injured in front off the posts to end his comeback after months out. On 35 minutes an up-and-under from Linale was poorly defended by OA’s, who conceded a penalty for Brady to slot over and Hendon were 15-7 ahead. As half-time approached another sloppy move by Hendon allowed a soft try to OA’s under the posts and the turn round score of 15-14 did not reflect the Hendon dominance.
In the 2nd half OA’s tried to utilise the slope but Hendon’s 2nd row Paul Geraghty led the forward uphill charges to set up repeated moves with centres Chris Burns and Michael Blake punching holes in the visitors defence. After a long penalty shot was missed by the home outfit, OA’s ran out of defence and covered the pitch to score again to go 15-21 ahead. As the sun dimmed in the sky and with under 10 mins to go, Linale was on hand after a Geraghty pick up to Blake and Linale now at scrum-half to finish a try in the corner making it 20-21.
With minutes left Hendon were in full attack as OA’s weakened and it was Geraghty again starting the final move uphill with Linale making the break and Blake finding the gap to score for the bonus point try. Hendon maintained the pressure and Linale from the touchline converted a long penalty to make it 28-21. OA’s found new inspiration in the last minute as they attempted the draw with 3 penalty scrums on the Hendon 5 metre line. Two Hendon players were sin binned but Hendon defended well with their 13 men for a good day’s work.
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7th January 2012
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Old Priorians
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43
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Hendon
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0
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It was a poor start to the New Year for Hendon. Old Priorians, 2nd in the promotion race, showed off their superior fitness and finishing skills as they comprehensively beat struggling Hendon at Perivale last Saturday. However in what seemed a one sided game, Hendon threatened for many periods of the match but could not finish and defended throughout but the faster Priorian back line could finish to break ther |Hendon defence out wide.
In the first half Hendon conceded two tries. The first came after just 5 minutes when the visitors were attacking, the Priorians winger picked up in defence and ran half the pitch to make it 7-0. Minutes later a Priorian penalty hit the post and sloppy Hendon defence allowed the home outfit to score out wide for a 12-0 lead. For the next 25 minutes Hendon were unlucky not to score as Brian O’Regan led his side by example with some driving runs through the Priorian defence to set up the next phase for his team but more errors and good Priorian tackling stopped Hendon. Two kickable penalties for Hendon were kicked to touch to set up a try but again Hendon were not able to finish. Hendon’s half-back pairing of Sheehan and Linale worked well with long kicks from Linale to set up the next move but possession had been conceded and Priorians superior back line put them back into Hendon territory.
Hendon started the second half with hopes of overcoming Priorians but their hopes were dashed as each time their forwards pushed Hendon back. Their backs finished off with four more tries, all coming from the speed of both wingers to finish at 43-0.
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17th December 2011
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Hendon
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19
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Belsize Park
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21
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For 80 minutes Hendon looked like finishing the year on a winning note but Belsize Park took control at the end to disappointment the struggling home side. Hendon were downhill in the 1st half and soon took control in the Belsize 22 with the visitors conceding several penalties as Hendon’s dominant pack pushed forward. On 9 minutes from another tap penalty Hendon set up a driving maul for captain Brian O’Regan to crash over in the corner for a 5-0 lead. Driving runs from prop forwards Paul Julian and Alan Fortune set up another pushover try for Hendon with Jamie Connolly peeling off to score a try which was converted by Chris Byrne. On the stroke of half-time a long shot penalty went wide but Hendon were 12-0 ahead.
Into the 2nd half it was again the home side pushing back Belsize Park, this time uphill. From a long kick, Belsize Park defended poorly and Hendon’s backline of Robert Nunez with Tommy Middleton and Byrne prevented the clearance and gained a penalty, which was slotted into touch. From the line out Hendon’s heavier pack pushed over the line for O’Regan to get his 2nd try converted by Byrne and Hendon were looking the better at 19-0 after 5 minutes.
Belsize then made some necessary replacements which changed the game with Hendon now defending as Belsize Park took advantage of the Hendon slope. On 10 minutes Hendon conceded a penalty and Belsize Park’s rearranged pack pushed over for their first converted try 19-7. Belsize Park returned immediately to put Hendon once more under pressure and drove to the Hendon line, and were awarded a try with the referee not seeing the 3 moves the Belsize Park player made in attempting to score making it 19-14. The game then shifted to mid field play with superb defence from all Hendon players until the 80th minute. From another midfield line out Belsize Park spun the ball wide with their outside centre outpacing the Hendon defenders with a try in the corner to level the scores; to the disappointment of the Christmas spectators on the Hendon touch line the conversion went over and Belsize Park had sneaked the lead at 19-21. In the 3mins of injury time left Hendon could not get within sight of the Belsize Park posts. The only consolation for Hendon was the losing bonus point to maintain their 9th position of the league.
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3rd December 2011
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Hendon
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34
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Old Ashmoleans
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8
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Hendon were uphill in the 1st period and soon put fellow strugglers Ashmoleans under pressure. After an early penalty it was forward Tony Connor that set the home outfit on their way with a pushover try after 10 minutes for a 10-0 lead. Ashmoleans fought back with long kicks into the Hendon half to give them a penalty and a try in the corner to get close at 10-8 after 20 minutes. Hendon recovered to return to the Ashmolean half and with forward Alan Fortune crashing through the visitors defence to set up repeated mauls on the Asmolean try line it was Hendon mistakes that stopped further scores to half-time.
Into the 2nd half Hendon were downhill and took full advantage with scrum-half Lee Linale kicking a long penalty to the Ashmolean 5 metre line. Pat Kerrigan went over for the next try after 10 minutes and then Linale from another attacking maul went through to score on 15 minutes to put Hendon 22-8 ahead. Midway through the period a backline move from Chris Byrne and Michael Blake was stopped short only for captain Brian O’Regan to collect and score to give Hendon the 4th try and bonus point at 29-8. As time ran out another backs move was finished by forward Tony Connor appearing on the wing to score at 34-8.
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19th November 2011
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Hendon
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19
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Verulamians
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48
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Hendon were downhill in the first period but with play uphill from Verulamians, the home outfit conceded 3 penalties in the opening 15 minutes to be 0-9 down. After this poor start Hendon woke up and started to use their forward strength, putting Verulamians on the back foot. First score to Hendon was a penalty and then front row forward Alan Fortune crashed over from short range to score a try to close the scoreline to 8-9. Play switched ends repeatedly with both sides landing penalties as Hendon’s forwards looked promising through Fortune, Julian and O’Regan but Verulamians up and under kicks constantly caused Hendon’s defence serious problems. Then on the stroke of half time Verulamians took a quick tap penalty in front of the Hendon posts and whilst Hendon retreated Verulamians had an easy try in the corner to make the score 11-17.
Into the second half Verulamians got the scorecard on the move with a penalty and then a pushover converted try to go 11-27 ahead with Hendon looking at sea. Verulamians gave away an offside penalty which was slotted over by Handley. The visitors replied with the best backline move of the match to score and were well ahead at 14-34. Repacement Chris Towndrow on for the last 10 mins gave some encouragement as he took the ball upfield with Robert Nunez on hand to score in the corner. Fitness now was the issue as Hendon were caught twice by the attaching backline of Verulamians who scored two more tries both converted to finish off Hendon with a final score of 19-48.
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12th November 2011
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Old Millhillians
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26
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Hendon
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11
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Hendon’s forwards again showed that in loose play they are competitive but in the end it was poor defence that let them down after only trailing by 1 score for much of this game.
OM’s first score came after 12 minutes as good back play allowed their left winger to complete a move in the corner for a 5-0 lead. Hendon went straight back into the OM half and from a rolling maul OM’s were offside and Lee Linale slotted over to make it 5-3. OM’s continued to look dangerous in the backs but Hendon conceded a penalty for OM’s to go 8-3 ahead. Jamie Connolly and Alan Fortune for Hendon continued pushing OM’s back, who conceded another penalty for Linale to close the score to 8-6. On the half hour this time Dave Connell picked up a loose ball and charged the OM line but was stopped short only for the fast OM backs to run round the Hendon defence and score a worthy try in the corner for a half time lead of 13-6.
Into the second half Hendon’s forwards again set up the attack but OM’s defended out, chased the long kick and from a maul went on the blindside to score an easy try 18-6. In this alternate scoring game it was Hendon’s returning centre Tommy Middleton and Chris Byrne that both took up the challenge, creating the next forward surge led by Brian O’Regan that gave Dave Connell the crash over try to get back to 18-11. Hendon were denied another score as OM’s were penalised as Hendon’s pack pushed to the line, but the kick went wide when the try would have been a just reward. After twenty minutes Hendon were still attacking but again a long kick from defence put the away outfit on the back foot as OM’s ran in a simple try. 23-11. With time running out a controversial penalty to OM’s allowed them to push their lead to 26pts which they held onto after a spirited Hendon onslaught to the final whistle.
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29th October 2011
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Hendon
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22
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Wasps Amateurs
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55
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Wasps, relegated last season, look like regaining higher League status by the end of this season after this win which maintains their top spot in the League. From the off, Wasps spun the ball wide and after 3mins of play their left winger was in for his first try under the posts and a 0-7 lead. Hendon should have taken note immediately but again allowed the away outfit to run the ball, slipping easily through the Hendon defence again after 10 mins to go 0-14 up. Tactics had to change and Hendon for the next 15 mins were back into the game, setting up forward dominated mauls that pushed the opposition back. From a 5 metre scrum, Hendon’s heavier pack pushed Wasps back over their line for Brian O’Regan to score with a Lee Linale conversion. Shortly after as Hendon again with Tony Connor and Cosy Mutuma leading the forwards charge were stopped short by Wasps with Linale slotting over the awarded penalty and Hendon were 10-14 and closing. Mid field play saw Hendon concede the penalty which Wasps No15 had no difficulty in converting. In the last 10 mins of the half Hendon forgot the forward tactics and did not maintain tight possession resulting in Wasps running in two further trys, both converted for a 10-31 turnaround.
Wasps were downhill in the next period and were a further 3 points ahead after 10mins from a penalty. Again Hendon tried to spread the ball wide which was soon intercepted by the fast backline of Wasps, who ran in a further three tries, all converted in the next 15mins to go 10-55 ahead and Hendon were staring at a complete second half whitewash. However in the 25 minute Hendon realised the dominant asset of their forwards, and keeping the ball tight, they drove upfield with replacement Chris Towndrow and Alan Fortune taking charge to the Wasps line. From a Wasps infringement on their own line Hendon were awarded a penalty try, converted by Linale to make the score 17-55. With 5 minutes left on the clock Hendon’s pack again pushed over the Wasps line for Mutuma to touch down 22-55. With minutes ticking down it was all Hendon going for their 4th try and the bonus point but the final whistle blew and Hendon were denied their 1 point.
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22nd October 2011
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Old Hamptonians
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0
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Hendon
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56
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Hendon collected 5 valuable points for this away win against struggling Hamptonians, to ease Hendon’s poor start to the season and collect their 2nd win. In the first half, it was Robert “Buzz” Nunez on the wing that went over for the 1st try on 10 mins after a backline move from midfield. Midfield play ensued for the next 15mins as Hamptonians defended well until standoff Tony Sheehan took the ball to the Hamptonian 5 metre line and from a side kick JP Cremin was on hand to collect and score, converted by Michael Blake. Next try was made from a driving maul started by prop Alan Fortune and finished by Sheehan from the home 22, who dummied two players to score in the corner and finish the first half 0-17.
Into the 2nd half, and into the strengthening wind, with minutes only on the clock it was captain Brian O’Regan linking with fullback Tom Mathias to score.0-22. Then the flood gates opened with Blake the next over to go 0-27 up. Further tries followed by Neame , Fortune and O’Regan, Blake converting the last for a commanding lead of 0-44. With 10 mins to go it was Hamptonians attacking the Hendon line but an interception by Mark Chapman ended the attack for another Hendon try converted by Blake. Then with the last play from an uphill kick and 5 metre scrum it was scrum-half Sami Iwasawa to score a brilliant blindside try to finish off at 0-56.
Hendon’s coach Chris Palmer commented, “at last some of the coaching moves that we have been working on were put into action which I hope can be operated again in future games”.
The Hendon line out gets set against Hamptonians
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8th October 2011
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Hendon
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10
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Harlequin Amateurs
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9
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Hendon managed a narrow and hard fought win over visitors Harlequins for their first League success of the season. Hendon were down hill in the first period and pushed the Quins defence with play going for Hendon. Quins conceded two penalties in the first 10 mins but both kicks went wide. From the 2nd restart Jamie Connolly collected to run through the defence from Hendon’s 10 metre line to the Quins 22; the ball was defended into touch and from the lineout a ruck on the Quins 5 saw Chris Towndrow pick up to score. Quins pushed Hendon into their own half, who now defended and conceded a penalty for Quins to close the gap at 5-3.The rest of the half saw spilled ball by both teams with no further scores.
Into the 2nd half the visitors took full advantage of the slope, constantly pushing Hendon to defend. The home outfit saw off waves of attacks until conceding an easy penalty in front of the posts for Quins to ease into the lead 5-6 after 25 mins. Then with 10 mins of play left and Quins once again on the attack, the visitors slotted over a further penalty to go ahead 5-9. With only minutes left it looked all over for Hendon but Lee Linale pushed a long kick upfield and caught the Quins defence and Brian O’Regan set up the maul that took Hendon to the Quins 5 metre line with Alan Fortune finishing off with a crash over try, unconverted, to ease Hendon into the lead. In the last minute Quins attempted a final assault on the Hendon try line but luck held out with the match finishing at 10-9 and 4 valuable League points to Hendon.
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24th September 2011
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Hendon
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30
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Old Priorians
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39
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In this league encounter, the third of the season, Hendon were denied a win but with a high scoring match at least picked up a bonus point keeping them off the bottom of the League. OP’s were downhill in the 1st half and soon found the benefit of the Hendon slope. A well worked back line move after 5mins looked a certain try except Hendon’s Jamie Connolly chased his man over the try line, made the tackle and the Priorian winger knocked on for a defending scrum. 10 mins later Priorians were over again to secure their 1st try and minutes later as Hendon defended, Priorians slotted over a penalty to go 0-8 up. Hendon’s forwards responded with a drive upfield, led by captain Brian O’Regan, who broke clear to score converted by Alex Whitaker. 7-8. On the half hour with play going both ways, Priorians broke through the Hendon line to score under the posts. Hendon again put the visitors under pressure, who conceded a penalty, converted by Whittaker 10-15. Then on the stroke of half-time, sloppy defending allowed Priorians over again to go 10-20 ahead.
Into the 2nd half and Hendon soon forced an error from Priorians, with Whittaker again converting 13-20. From the restart it was all Hendon with Priorans trapped in their 22. From a forward maul, it was O’Regan again breaking free to score in the corner an unconverted try. 18-20. Priorians again returned upfield to test the Hendon defence and again scored 18-27. From the restart Aiden Kelly intercepted a run from defence to close again for the Home outfit, Whittaker converting 25-27. Hendon into the last quarter committed to attack only to see Priorians with a breakaway try to stay ahead 25-32. Hendons heads were held high as another fine ¾ move allowed Hendon’s Man of the Match Jamie Connolly to score to close again for 30-32. Then in the closing minutes with Hendon on the Priorians 5 metres line looking for the victory, the ball was mishandled and the visitors kicked from defence, collected and finished with another score to win 30-39.
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17th September 2011
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Belsize Park
|
31
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Hendon
|
14
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Promoted Belsize clocked up their 1st victory against Hendon as the Copthall club struggles to field a full strength side, currently depleted by injury to key players.
Only after 6 mins Hendon had leaked their 1st try as poor defence allowed Belsize to score a forward dominated move 5-0. Belsize added an 11th & 21st min. penalties as Hendon struggled against a dominant BP outfit 11-0. Hendon then discovered how to weather the storm and defended well; they were rewarded with a try in the 27th min. by Cosy Mutuma after a long kick downfield was picked up by Hendon, who went on the blind side from the ruck and Cosy was on hand to go over, converting his own try 11-7.
Then an injustice to Mutuma 7mins into the 2nd half as he is yellow carded for a backrow infringement only worthy of a penalty. With a depleted backrow Belsize Park score two tries on the blindside to go 21-7 ahead. With Mutuma back on the field Hendon’s pack gets on top in the set piece and driving mauls by Captain Brian O’Regan pushes Hendon onto the Belsize 22. Another well worked Hendon move allows Mutuma in with his second try which he converts 21-14.
From the kick off Hendon return to the opposition 22 and drive over for what appeared a good try but the referee disallowed. The next 5 metre scrum to Hendon was penalised and Hendon chances faded as Belsize returned to the Hendon half for the rest of the game claiming two more tries on the right flank.
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10th September 2011
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Hendon
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0
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Hackney
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33
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Not a good start to the new season for Hendon Rugby in their 1st league match against promotion favourites Hackney. Winning the toss for play Hendon elected to go downhill on the Copthall slope with the added advantage of the wind. Although at the end of the 1st period the scores were level at 0-0, the advantage to Hackney was seized to their advantage as they ran in 5 unanswered tries with 4 conversions, giving them a bonus point on top of their 4 win points.
Hendon should have got points on the board in the 1st half as much of the play was in the Hackney half with new Captain Brian O’Regan leading by example with some fine breaks from the base of the scrum. However the necessary support was too slow to take advantage. Several breakouts by the Hackney backline in the 1st period was well defended by Hendon’s backs and the danger signs were there for the turnaround.
Into the 2nd half, crucial injuries to prop Paul Julian , 2nd row Paddy Short and centre Michael Blake, three of Hendon’s top players, severely weakened the Home outfit and this soon showed as Hackney found the weak spots to punish Hendon’s scrum and defence. O’Regan commented after the match, “this was not a good start for us but with a number of 1st team players unavailable and then the injuries, we have got to get better. Training is going well with our new coach and our game can only improve; Hackney did not expect it to be 0-0 at the break, so well done to the lads”.
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