A victory in this must win game at Luton. HRFC turned on a performance which enabled them to take all the points at Luton in a score line that does not reflect how much HRFC dominated the game.
HRFC made a number of changes with Tom Drewett and Sid Claffey returning from injury, Grant Morris starting at scrum half, and Richard Adams replacing Matt O’Shea.
Straight from the kick off the HRFC pack took control of the game and applied pressure to the Luton try line, with Pucs missing a drop goal. But from the restart HRFC took the ball forward and were awarded a penalty which Pucs converted 0-3 with 10mins gone.
With HRFC controlling the game through the pack, they encamped in the Luton half but Pucs missed a penalty in the 20th minute. The three quarters now became involved and their number of interplays with the pack ensured HRFC kept the pressure on Luton.
HRFC were now encamped on the Luton try line with the pack taking up the mantle to score. The Luton defence gave way for Ali Ramus to emerge from the pile of forwards for a try in the 27 minute , Pucs converted 0 -10 to HRFC.
There was a long stoppage for an injury to Brad Mockford who was eventually replaced by Ollie North. In the time added on, Luton converted a penalty for a half time score of 3 -10.
The second half was very similar to the first, with the HRFC pack controlling the game, enabling the backs to have time to show how they can influence the game with some fine runs deep into the Luton half. A resulting penalty from one of these moves was missed by Pucs in front of the posts, but it was Luton who scored first with a try in the corner, conversion missed 8- 10, and Luton were back in the game.
Karl Randle took a 10 minute rest for foul play and the pack reorganised with Tom Drewett going to prop and Steve Cruddas hooking. The platform of the pack was as stable as previously, and this enabled HRFC to stop Luton scoring, and to get back into the game.
HRFC back to full strength, they again applied the pressure, and a fine kick by Sid Claffey put HRFC deep into the Luton half. From the resulting line out, HRFC knocked on, but won the scrum against the head, this enabled Richard Adams to run in a fine try, which Pucs converted 8 – 17, with 10 minutes of the match remaining.
Luton tried to step their game up, and were awarded a penalty which they missed. HRFC came back at them and converted their penalty by Pucs 8 -20. The game was now into time added on for the many injuries. From the restart Luton came at HRFC, but HRFC won the ball only to have Luton intercept and run in a try which they converted by a drop goal 15 -20, this was the final play of the match .
HRFC went to 11th place in the league, changing places with Barking, who are on the same points as HRFC.
This was HRFC’s first win of the year after 5 losses, and will kick start their second half of the season to enable them to fight themselves away from the relegation zone of the league. The next game is at home against fellow strugglers North Walsham, so this was part one of two must win games.
Hav team: - Steve Stapleton, Richard Buck, Neil McGovern, Sid Claffey, Richard Adams, Pucs Ngapaku, Grant Morris. Stu Ingram , Tom Drewett, Karl Randle, Ali Ramus, Brad Mockford (Ollie North 40min), Harry Heasman, Steve Cruddas, Dylan Raubenheimer
Hav Scorers:
Tries: Ali Ramus, Richard Adams
Conversions: 2 Pucs
Penalty: 2 Pucs
Luton scores Tries: 2 Conversions: 1 Penalty: 1