Thank you for our friends from Harpenden Rugby for providing the match report in full. The original can be found on the Harpenden Rugby website, with references to George Michael, hence the headline.Hampstead 11 Harpenden 27
The opening score came courtesy of Jonny Barton right boot which found its range from the outset of the game, a 35-metre penalty owing much to Harpenden pressure at the breakdown. The game initially failed to sparkle, with both sides falling foul of the deteriorating weather and both sides opting for a wider game which failed to suit the conditions.
Harpenden showed several glimpses of class as, hand-in-hand with quick ruck ball, intelligent running lines from Kearns and Jonny Barton gave Tennant the responsibility of finding the right set of hands. Both sides brought a fair amount to the first half party, with Hampstead offering chances out wide and Harpenden retaliating in-kind with several well-worked lineouts and driving mauls.
With the scores at 3-3 and fast-approaching half-time Harpenden stepped up a gear and found the gap in the home defense which yielded the 5 points. Several sturdy phases of close-quarter yards provided an invitation to the Hampstead backrow which they could only accept, from the resultant final phase an immaculately well-timed pass from stand-off Tennant found Alan Barton, as the diminutive fullback accepted the present to crash over out wide. His sibling, and rival for Hertfordshire’s smallest player, kicked the touchline conversion to provide his side with a tasty, but merited 10-3 halftime lead.
HT Hampstead 3 Harpenden 10
The rain continued to fall and Harpenden continued to batter at the door of the Hampstead defense, utilizing an effective forward-orientated game through Messer’s Peck, Hoare and Jali. Hampstead’s frustrations at not being able to break the resilience offered by the centre combination of Kearns and Barton finally showed as an ill-fated chip found the greedy hands of Kearns, who raced away from the cover defense to convert a 50metre return. Barton gratefully extended the Harpenden lead with an inch-perfect conversion.
The Men in Black then allowed Hampstead to join in the party with some sloppy first-up tackling and some latent officiating by the corner flag, Hampstead helped themselves to a slice of the cake. The subsequent conversion was missed, but it served as a wake-up call to those in Black that deemed the Hampstead recovery lacking in credibility.
Harpenden went about restoring their lead with precision and nous. Tennant hit the corners with unerring accuracy and the forwards providing him some back-up in the form of a steady and consistent lineout. With the Men in Black camped in the Hampstead 22, it was an unfamiliar method of garnering points that pushed Harpenden back into a 9point lead with Alan Barton not missing an opportunity to remind his brother that he too can kick.
A 25 meter drop goal, coming via several deep raids by Chichester-Miles and Humphries respectively, allowing Barton time and space to deliver a dagger to Hampstead hearts. The breathing space that the drop goal afforded gave Harpenden a chance to claim the valuable bonus point on offer. It never materialized, but the Men in Black came might close, first courtesy of a cheeky break by centre Jonny Barton, which he himself converted with aplomb and then, in the dying moments a similar run by his namesake Alan. The pocket-sized full-back seizing upon a loose ball and, from fully 50meters, began the long cross-country style amble to the line. Alas, Shetland ponies were not designed for short distances, and he was hauled down some 5 yards from glory, and the family bragging rights.
Team:
Subs:
Whey for Cornthwaite (35”) and Payne for Kearns (70”). Not used; Haddock.
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