Deja vu for Hoppers
Seniors: First XV: 18th January 2020
Grasshoppers |
36 |
40 |
Hemel Hempstead |
Hoppers on the wrong end of 76-point thriller, in a match reminiscent of the corresponding away fixture back in September.
Gs kicked off from the school end and kept play in Hemel’s half, and with the forwards pressing forward saw a fine break from Sean Connor to touch down between the posts – converted by Jason Lee for Gs to take a 7-0 lead after 6 minutes.
Gs were soon back in Hemel’s half pressing their line, after a few forward phases Mark Cunningham cut through their defence for a try – unconverted after 10 minutes to extend lead to 12-0.
Gs forwards now had the upper hand and were again camped on Hemel’s line which lead to a try for James Kent – unconverted after 15 minutes for a 17-0 lead.
Hemel now started to gain some momentum applying their own pressure resulting in a try – unconverted after 22 minutes to reduce the deficit to 17-5.
Handling errors began to creep in for both sides as the temperature dropped, and this saw Blaise Salle break clear for a try – converted by Jason Lee after 30 minutes to stretch lead to 24-5.
Play stayed in Gs half finally resulting in a Hemel try – converted after 38 minutes to bring the closing half time score to 24-12.
Hemel were soon back on the scoreboard with a try – converted after 42 minutes to bring the score to 24-19.
Hemel were now on the front foot and ran in a further try – converted after 50 minutes to take the lead 24-26.
Gs finally woke up and steamed into Hemel’s 22, and with a fine juggling act from Callum McCormack saw him crash over for a try – unconverted after 55 minutes to retake the lead 29-26.
With Gs now applying all the pressure pinning Hemel on their line, from a break by Louis Brown from a scrum the ball came back to Jason Lee to dart through a gap for a try – converted by himself to stretch the lead to 36-26 after 65 minutes.
From the restart Hemel pressed forward and eventually broke Gs defence for a try – converted after 70 minutes to reduce the deficit to 36-33.
Hemel now pinned Gs down in their 22 leading to a try – converted after 78 minutes to take the lead and the win 36-40.
If any consolation could be taken from the match it was 2 bonus points achieved by Gs.