September & October 2009
31st October 2009
Hendon's 2nd XV were in action in a Merit Table match against Cheshunt 2nds who had only been beaten by Table toppers Ruislip and who provided a very stern test.
In a tense match , it was Hendon who took the lead after 20 mins with a breakaway move to go 7-0 up. However, Cheshunt responded with a forwards pushover in the corner for an unconverted try to and then, with a player off in the sin bin, Hendon leaked a try on the stroke of half time to go 12-7 down.
Then, having held that score until the 36th minute of the second half, Cheshunt ran in downhill two tries as the Hendon tired for a final score of 24-7.
10th October 2009
Hendon 2nds 32 St Albans 3rds 15
On a day perfect for rugby, Hendon's friendly versus St Albans was a great way for them to kickstart their season.
With their strongest line-up so far this season, Hendon started well and within 5 minutes, were camped on the opposition's line.
The defence held out for several phases before 'Ralphy' burrowed over for a un-converted try. Soon afterwards, the Club Deputy President, Laurence Lennon broke free, and the big man ran 20 metres to make it 10 nil but still no conversion Mr Fahey?!?!
After that it was one way traffic and after some more phases team captain Pat Short drove over close to the line. However, against the run of play, on the stroke of half time, St Albans shipped it wide to their wing to squeeze in the corner.
Half time score: 15-5
Straight from the kick off Hendon regained possession and scrumhalf Brian popped to Pat Short to cross the line for his second try and to extend the lead to 20-5.
The game started to even out and the St Albans backs showed some good strength and pace when their winger from a break and ran 30 meters to score.
In reply Hendon's forwards broke through midfield, some good short passing later and Brian Gilbride glided gracefully over for a 5 pointer.
From the kick off Hendon regained possession and again came away from St Albans half with Pat Short collecting a loose ball close to the line to dive over for his hat-trick. Ryan Fahey converted!!
The hat-tricks weren't finished there!! On the last play of the game the opposition wing once again showed pace and skill to break away to score leaving the final score: 32-15.
Captain Pat Short said "it was a good result, and one badly needed. The boys came together well with some untried combinations, and will go into next Saturdays league match versus Old Grammarians with good momentum."
26th September 2009
The team started slowly, giving away three soft tries, due to some lacklustre defence. The pack began to win some quality ball, and when Old Albanians tried to clear from their own line, a lightening fast charge down by Kola Okoko allowed Stephen Gaukrodger to pick up the loose ball and score.
Unfortunately the defence, which was brittle throughout the half, let through another try before the break.
In the second half, the defence began to improve. Despite being three tries down, the team refused to quit, trading tries with Old Albanians. Joe Haugie scored a great try on debut, and Helio Vicente picked up a double to restore a measure of pride for the team.
Unfortunately, it was not enough, with the final score 43-20 to Old Albanians.
Captain Paddy Short said ‘Another difficult game for us in a higher division but with a number of new and inexperienced players in the squad I was extremely pleased with the commitment. We can only improve.’
19th September 2009
The game against Stevenage 3rds game was cagey for the first half hour before the Hendon pack woke from a deep slumber to find they were one try down.They then started to secure consecutive phases of possession although the set pieces remained inconsistent and a bit scrappy. They gained enough ball but enough for Charles Oyeshomo to force his way over for a well earned try from midfield.
Charles celebrates his try
The momentum changed at that point hugely for the green, black and white, which continued for the rest of the game, setting camp in the Stevenage half but with only one more try added by new man Ian Butturini, who used pace and good strength out wide to score. This was not converted but Hendon now led by 10 points to 5.
However, two minutes from the end disaster struck. From their line, Stevenage kicked downfield but did not find touch. From there a penalty for not releasing was was called. Stevenage took a tap quickly and shipped it wide. They had numbers and used them to score under the post! Conversion followed and the game finished a disappointing 10-12. As captain Paddy Short said after the game, "We snatched defeat from the jaws of victory."
12th September 2009
Ruislip 3rds were our bogey team last season and were promoted as winners of the table with us going up from second place. They are looking very strong for the season ahead, and would have to be favourites for the league title if what we saw was anything to go by. The difference in preparation was obvious, we were behind the pace from the off, with injuries, selections for first team duty and so on, but the boys who did turn up put their bodies on the line all day which was heartening, especially the lads new to the club (almost all of whom had a baptism of fire in the backs)! A bad result but one we knew we could only build on.
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