Close encounter at Grasshoppers
Seniors: First XV: 23rd November 2019
| Grasshoppers |
23 |
18 |
Hackney |
Grasshoppers welcomed Hackney to Syon Lane, albeit under heavy grey clouds and persistent drizzle throughout. The game was typical of the old cliché of a game of two halves between two evenly matched sides with similar styles of play.
Hackney kicked-off from the railway end, play was fairly even, but Gs conceded a penalty in their 22 - Hackney seeing an opportunity took a tap penalty and ran in to score a try – converted after 5 minutes.
From the restart Hackney moved into G’s 22 and from a line-out followed by a couple of forward drives moved the ball through their backs to touch-down in the corner – unconverted to increase their lead to 0-12 after 8 minutes.
From the restart Gs recovered the ball and continued to have all the play. Gs pressure and passing finally told and following a penalty kicked to the corner a smart move at the front of the resulting line-out saw hooker Jack Walkden run in a try – unconverted after 28 minutes, to bring the score to 5-12.
From the restart Gs won a penalty which was duly kicked by stand-off Jason Lee to reduce the deficit to 8-15 after 38 minutes.
The remainder of the half was even and closed with Hackney leading 8-15.
Kicking off the second half attacking the school end Gs started on the front foot keeping play in Hackney’s half eventually with Hackney conceding a penalty, seeing his chance Jasper Rose took a quick tap penalty and surged through the defence for a try duly converted by Jason Lee to bring the score level at 15-15 after 55 minutes.
Play continued from the restart with Gs forwards beginning to get the upper hand, but back came Hackney and play continued end to end, eventually from a scrum in Hackney’s 22 Gs won a penalty, which was kicked by Jason Lee to take the lead 18-15 after 75 minutes.
From the restart following a brief scrappy phase with the ball being kicked around on the ground as if in a pinball machine Blaise Salle got his hands on the ball and powered over to touch down in the corner – unconverted after 78 minutes to increase the lead to 23-15.
From the restart Gs conceded a penalty, which Hackney kicked to bring the score to 23-18 after 78 minutes.
With Hackney now on the up and seeing a chance of a draw with a try or win if converted, they surged up to Gs 22 from the restart, but Gs defence held firm to close out the win 23-18.
However, despite Gs maintaining their 100% home win record, there were some aspects to be discussed between the coaches and players.
