Hatfield tame Black Horse in top of the table clash

Hatfield Queen Elizabeth Rugby Club took their unbeaten start to the season to six games with an exhilarating battle in Hertford against Black Horse RFC, scoring an impressive seven tries to win 42-22.

It was the toughest game HQE had faced so far this season and it was against a side that were also unbeaten in the league. Hatfield dominated large portions of the game in what coach Gary Phillips called: “The most complete performance of the season so far.”

However, early signs were not good for HQE as they found themselves under pressure from the kick off and soon found themselves behind the posts as Black Horse and trundled over the try line to score first – they missed the conversion.

Hatfield responded with a penalty, but then Black Horse were soon adding more pressure to the Hatfield defence. However they were unable to break through with some last ditch defending which kept Black Horse away from the try line. With some strong scrums and lineouts the Hatfield pack were able to push back up the pitch, which eventually opened up for fly half Rob Jack to seize the gap and flew past Black Horse’s defence to score under the posts. Winger Charlie Gibbs converted.

A carbon copy of the previous try happened almost straight away with Jack scoring again, but Gibbs missed the conversion as the wind conditions made it more difficult throughout the game.

Black Horse responded with another try, to keep the game close, but before the end of the half, Rob Jack kicked the ball over the oppositions’ heads , caught it and then offloaded to Jago Penrose who powered past to score Hatfield’s third try of the game, giving the away side a 10-20 lead tat the break.

The second half belonged to Hatfield for the majority. Quick try from Rob Jack, saw the away team pull further in front. Then second row stalwart Damien Poulter made an impressive break from outside the 22-yard line and barrelled his way over the try line. He repeated this again shortly after. Gibbs was unable to convert any due to the testing conditions.

With 15 minutes left on the clock Black Horse were attacking the Hatfield line and prop David Rawlings was deemed to have collapsed the maul and was sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes. The referee had clearly had enough of the penalty count because shortly after he sent Stuart Yule into the bin for an alleged high tackle. With five minutes remaining Rawlings was returned to the filed but subbed off for it Smith, who instantly saw a yellow card for not retreating, leaving Hatfield two men down again

Hatfield managed to keep control, but with two men off the pitch Black Horse took full advantage and scored two tries.

But full credit to HQE who despite being down, still played their game and were rewarded with another try when Gibbs went over, he also made the conversion. Giving the final score of 42-22

Hatfield’s next fixture is on Saturday 04 November home at Roe Hill against Watford’s second XV.