Welwyn 3rd XV 10 Hampstead 3rd XV 10

Welwyn development squad took on league leaders Hampstead III in this merit table clash. True to their philosophy this season under the management of Mick (what drinking culture?) Hills and occasionally Brian, the development squad started with 7 players of colts age looking for a win against a side to whom they had twice lost in previous fixtures by the odd score this season. A frantic start saw committed play by both sides with the Welwyn pack starting to assert some control in the scrum and Si Lynch rolling back the years and taking a couple against the head (obviously with much assistance from Dan and Harry). After about 20 minutes Alex Cross darted over for a well worked try (by the backs) after some solid forward driving - notably by Dan Evans, Bill Moran and Ian Tanner. Hampstead fought back in the manner of the previous encounters and after some tight forward driving worked an opening on the blindside for their 9 to score - subsequently converted by their 8. A few minutes later Hampstead again worked a position in front of the posts for Welwyn to be penalised and they slotted the penalty to take a 10-5 lead. Just before half time Welwyn were robbed when old man Humphries sprinted (staggered) clear up the wing and rounded the full back only to be cruelly denied by the linesman who will be in detention for the next week if I have anything to do with it.

A rousing start to the second half saw the Welwyn forwards, with the addition of Rory (another colt) gain control and a penalty led to a line-out on the 5 metre line. A clean take and drive ended with the role model Mr Cleary being dragged over the line by his colleagues and levelling the score at 10-10. Big Keith Bothick had made one big tackle too many and had to be replaced by Andy Smith (yet another colt) who immediately came out in sympathy with Keith and his dead leg!

Man of the match Jeremy (private) 'Schultz' made some big tackles and gained good ground to keep Welwyn going forward. Half backs Newsom and Williams played well and Hughsey put in more than his fair share of big tackles as did Mevans who was safe at the back.

In the last quarter Hampstead managed to make the least of at least three overlaps and Alex 'Cardinal Chunder' Cross cleverly threw up (we never lose when he chunders) so as to make their running lines more difficult. A late Welwyn penalty hit the outside of the post to leave the honours even in a tight, hard and clean game.

This result leaves the Development Squad in mid table with two games to go.

A few light ales then all off to Charlies 18th..........................but that's another story.

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