Week 1 of the league season and 1871 2’s arrived at Hendon with a quite purpose after a good pre-season showing in the fitness, energy, recruitment and pre-season game stakes.  Always cobwebs to blow off when the game is in anger, together with controlling the first game nerves, but the players rallied together well on this very warm, sunny and dry day.  The grass pitch was playable, albeit very dry and could hold a stud in the scrum.

Hendon came out hard and 1871 matched them by doubling up on the tackles and setting the defence defines us standard, generally winning the ball back after the requested 4 phases. And pinning an energetic Hendon back in their own half, gradually making them run out of decent ideas.  However, they didn’t give up.

It took 1871 2’s 12 minutes to get on the scoreboard, care of Afzaal Ijaz (12) after winning a scrum, then playing the ball down the line, with Logan Flint (4) breaking down the middle, followed by Theo Szweda (6) taking the tip ball, followed by Afzaal taking his tip and accelerating away to score.

David Vater (5) got the next at 19 minutes, using his power and pace to crash through from about 10 metres out after a well worked Plan B move.

Hendon fought back and managed to get into 1871’s half, after repeated efforts had been thwarted.  They earned a penalty after another breakdown infringement and slotted the 3 points.

5 minutes later Afzaal Ijaz went over again, this time from an almost identical Plan B move from about 15 metres out  He wasn’t going to be stopped.  Alex Tarrant (15) laced up his boots and took the extra 2 points.

The final score of the game came at 40 minutes from the Captain, Kavan Fitzpatrick (8) after a kick recovery by Logan Flint, then the ball went through the hands and quick phase play before Kavan hit an inside line and broke away from the attempted tacklers.  Alex Tarrant again took the extras.

Whilst in our huddle at half time, we were approached by the referee and the Hendon Captain who sadly conceded the game, as they picked up too many injuries in that half and were now down to 13 players.

It was a shame, as 1871 were raring to go to put out a bigger statement.  However, with them and the referee declaring this as a safety issue, 1871 accepted the win.

The return game on 9^th January will be interesting.

#BleedGreen!