H.A.C. v Amersham and Chiltern RFC 1XV - Saturday 2nd March 2024

H.A.C: 38
Tries: 6
Conversions: 4

Amersham and Chiltern RFC 1XV: 35
Tries: 5
Conversions: 5

Half Time: 7-21

On a day for building Arks and transporting animals two by two, HAC offered the finest facilities at Grasshoppers RFC including a nice dry 4G pitch. What a day and what a game as the league season entered the last 4 games stage.

A decent travelling support were treated to a quite amazing start from Chiltern as they stunned HAC with decisive and passionate rugby only to make HAC angry and bring on an impressive response leading to an eventual last gasp win. We did though earn two points with a fine try hall and narrow loss.

Three games to go and six points ahead, matters regarding promotion remain in our hands.

Now for the action…

After only 5 minutes and opening pressure pays off with an opening try from Flash (Jordan Sullivan-Warner), our flying winger. Chiltern having all the play (0-5), a gorgeous conversion from the touch line for Callum Hutchinson (0-7).

Mattio then bangs his head off the 4G pitch and is replaced by Kieran Booth after only 10 minutes. Jack Kenyon then scores a 2nd try after a great move, from Dave Frances, out from the backs after marauding (0-12). Off the post and over for another great conversion from Callum (0-14).

Nothing in response from HAC. Stunned! Jack Kenyon scored again after creeping up and exploding up the pitch with a cheeky interception (0-19), once again easily converted by Callum (0-21).

HAC seem down and out. Then just like at Twickenham, England v Scotland 2019, a try and conversion from HAC.

It seemed to wake them up and in time for a half-time motivational chat by the HAC coach and players.

Half Time: 7-21

Clearly, we didn’t want to win the league easily and like your deepest nightmare HAC re-emerged from the rugby wilderness with some outstanding rugby and some breaks.

HAC score a try under the posts (14-21), followed by a HAC try in the corner (19-21).

Another HAC try and into the lead they go (24-21). Another HAC try (31-21) and converted.

Then it was the Chiltern response from Jordan Scott with a fine try (32 -26), and a great conversion from Callum (32-28) and then Jack Kenyon again for his 3rd try (31 -35) with conversion.

With 15 minutes extra time and the longest 2 minutes in the world there was time for a HAC winner. Last play of the game. A classic (38-35).

A game never to be forgotten.

This week: Home to fellow Bucks team Marlow RFC. Top v 9th. Marlow will be keen to do better than their 3-40 loss at home back in November and come on the back of a decent win at home against 10th placed, Aylesbury, 38-19.

President’s Lunch and an opportunity to continue our sustained push for promotion.

Team:
1. Doug McGregor-Smith
2. Joe Batt
3. Pat Nash
4. Harry Bradshaw
5. Jacques O’Driscoll
6. Mattia Mengotti
7. Dave Francis
8. Jordan Scott
9. Tim Hayes
10. Callum Hutchinson
11. Jordan Sullivan – Warner(Flash)
12. Noah Jarvis
13. MacKenzie-South
14. Jack Kenyon
15. Ben Pothecary
16. Bruno
17. Kieran Booth
18. Aaron Lewis