Verulamians snatch defeat from the jaws of victory
Verulamians, seen here last season, saw a 12-0 half-time lead vanish against Old Millhillians - Credit: Archant
Verulamians had a second half to forget as they slumped to a 15-12 defeat at Old Millhillians.
Leading 12-0 at half-time they looked certain to grab their third win of the Herts/Middlesex One League season.
However, their hosts raised their game in the second period to snatch the result.
Vees welcomed Tom Crowne and Alex Ricci to the squad and despite the surface water on the pitch, the move seemed to strengthen them.
Playing into a stiff wind in the first half, they took the lead on 10 minutes when Crowne muscled his way over and that lead was stretched just before the break, Joe Baker finishing off a rampaging run.
And unlike previous weeks, the London Coney-based rugby club came out in the second half all guns blazing.
A sensational move spanning the whole length of the field almost brought a score only to be denied because of a mishap in front of the posts.
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The let-off steeled the Millhillians pack and they nibbled their way back up the field with controlled, no-mistake rugby.
It brought an unconverted score, the kick in front of the posts being charged down, and soon the scores were level.
A penalty gave the hosts a lead they would not relinquish.
Vees missed three golden opportunities to rescue the match late-on but a combination of dropped passes and a misjudged dive over the line thwarted them.
