November & December 2009
Saturday 5th December 2009
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 2009
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 2009
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
RFU.com 
Search
