Herts/Middlesex One Cheshunt 23 Verulamians 6 VEES came home empty handed from their trip to top-of-the-table Cheshunt. The home side have only lost one game all season and Vees were on the back foot immediately. A poor start from Vees saw the home side a

Herts/Middlesex One

Cheshunt 23 Verulamians 6

VEES came home empty handed from their trip to top-of-the-table Cheshunt. The home side have only lost one game all season and Vees were on the back foot immediately. A poor start from Vees saw the home side attack from the kick off with Cheshunt getting stopped just short of the line. The home side couldn't get the ball away and Verulamians were able to clear the ball to safety from the ensuing scrum.

Vees took advantage of Cheshunt's indiscipline and managed to gain good territory. When the home side were penalised once again in range of the posts, Vees seized the opportunity to open the scoring. Cheshunt dominated the set piece, easily winning their own ball and disrupting Vees' routines, and as a result they were able to control the territory with quality possession. After a concerted forward effort, Cheshunt took the lead when Paul Barton crashed over from close range to make it 5-3.

The lead was nearly extended just seven minutes later when a break in midfield from Matt Corcoran created space for fellow centre Alan Thorne but he was stopped just short and the Vees cleared once more. Verulamians' reprieve was short lived though, as the home side scored their second try. The visitors gave away a penalty at the scrum after being under pressure and with number eight Matt Steele realising the defence were not organised, he quickly tapped the penalty and forced his way over.

Vees reduced the deficit before the break with another penalty to make the score 10-6 at the interval.

Cheshunt were determined to score quick points to put the game beyond Verulamians. From the restart they piled into the visitors and remained camped on their line for six minutes. Vees' defence held firm and Cheshunt finally gave up the ball by giving away another unnecessary penalty. The home side continued to dominate and Verulamians rarely ventured into the Cheshunt half but, with the home side seemingly unable to score, the game remained in the balance.

Cheshunt added another penalty which was followed by a try that effectively killed off any hope of a Vees victory. Vees were unable to clear their defensive lines and Cheshunt centre Alan Thorne tore through their back line to touch down.

The home side continued to create chances but they were unable to cross the line again until the last minute. The hosts' forwards worked hard to produce quality ball for Danny Saunders and he finished off the move and the scoring to compound Vees misery.