A haul of thirty points from in form full back, Jacob, helped a squad team take victory at home against a strong Cheshunt team this morning. Today's team was a 50/50 split of regular A and B team starters and a great opportunity to show the strength in depth we have as an age group squad and despite getting off to a typical 'Stortford' start, giving away a string of un-necessary penalties, we were first to get on the score board when Jacob found himself with open space to run into on the left wing and powered his way over the line for the first of his four tries, the extra two points added from the boot of Luke F. Cheshunt responded five minutes later, their strategy of playing through their strong forward pack paying off to level the score. Realising that our best option was to get our wingers into play, Dillon L was next to score, benefitting from a good series of quick passes and strong runs from Sam F (returning to the pitch after a long injury lay-off for the first time this season) before making space for himself to cross the line in the corner, leaving a conversion that was just too far out for Luke to add to the score from. A converted try from Cheshunt was followed quickly by a response from Luke, some quality team play leading to a well timed offload from Ali M to put the number 10 away for the try that saw us leading 17-14 at half time.
The Stortford lead was stretched five minutes into the second half with a try from Calan, converted by Jacob before Cheshunt took control of the game for a period that saw them run in two converted tries to take the lead 24-28. Once more however, the lads heads did not drop and good play from the forwards, Murray making a number of strong and incisive runs, lead to a series of passes out to the left wing where Jacob was able to take control of the ball, step the defence and carry the ball behind the posts to leave himself an easy conversion (31-28). Cheshunt's response was swift and they once more took a slender lead with an unconverted try (31-33) but Jacob clearly sensed more opportunities were available as the opposition tired and some fantastic interplay between him and Ali M saw him run in two more well made tries, which he duly converted (45-33). The final score of the game was probably the most celebrated by team mates and supporters alike when Sam F received the ball from Ali and crossed for a well deserved try of his own having worked tirelessly all match to support his team mates, this final try was converted by Jacob to take his points tally for the game to a round 30 and the final score to 52-33, a slightly flattering scoreline in a very evenly matched game but our lads fitness levels proved the difference in the last ten minutes.
Star player was presented to Sam at the post match lunch - a great season debut and a very welcome return back to the playing line-up. Special mention has to go to Jacob for another very strong performance, always 'popping-up' in the right place at the right time and making it look easy, but working solidly in the build up to put himself in those right places to score his four tries, the five conversions polishing off a great mornings work.
Well done lads, enjoy your half term!