HRFC
12 LONDON SCOTTISH FC 11National 3 South
Hav did their National League survival chances a world of good with a hard won victory over high flying London Scottish, and, with other results going in their favour, they finally move out of the relegation zone.
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Although mighty close, it was a worthy win, engineered by a superb controlled display by the forwards and a stroke of individual brilliance by scrum half Grant Morris, who ‘scuttled’ more than half the length of the field, after breaking clear on half way, to score near the posts early in the second half, and create a lead that Havant never relinquished.
Playing against the elements in the first half, Hav started off well, and, thanks to effective forward drives, managed to get their noses in front after 8 minutes when, for the 11th time this season*, Dylan Raubenheimer got the touch down from the familiar penalty, line-out at 5 metres, catch and drive over.
* With apologies to everyone and particularly Dylan and Harry Heasman, I've been recording Dylan has having one try too many since last September. The try scorer at Lydney on 29th September was Harry not Dylan! |
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It was Hav’s only score of the half. For much of the rest of the time Scottish had the balance of play and looked dangerous, particularly when moving the ball in the backs. However good defence, helped by a number of handling errors, prevented the line from being breached, but two penalties from Scottish’s fly-half Chris Micklewood enabled the visitors to go in at half time with their noses in front at 5-6.
Hav had delivered one or two poor second half performances in front of their home supporters this season, but Saturday certainly wasn’t another one. Playing with real passion and a little help from the elements, they did enough to get their noses in front and then hold on to the final whistle. The Grant Morris try came on 46 minutes, and when Pucs Ngapaku added the extras it was 12-6. On the hour, Hav should have made it that Scottish had to score twice, but Pucs missed a simple penalty just to the left of the posts, which made for a nail biting last quarter.
With Hav forwards continuing to hold their own against their counterparts, it was the Scottish backs who continued to look the more dangerous on display, and although it took them a while they eventually found a way through with a touchdown by full back Gareth Swales by the right corner flag. A good kick from Micklewood just missed to leave it at 12-11 with 10 minutes to go. Both sides had their moments in the last few minutes, but the referee’s whistle was heralded with huge relief by the home supporters as it was Scottish who were pressing at the end.
Havant’s Director of Rugby Simon Morgan was understandably ‘delighted’ with the result. “We stuck at it for the full 80 minutes today and showed that on our day we are a far better side than league position would indicate. Our fate is in our own hands now and I’ll be working for repeat performances in our remaining matches to finish the season on a high!”
Hav:
Keith Molyneux, Richard Buck, Neil McGovern, Sid Claffey, Richard Adams, Pucs Ngapaku, Grant Morris (Liam Davenport)
Stu ingram (capt), Tom Drewett, Karl Randle (Tom Wells), Nick Whittle, Ali Ramus, Harry Heasman, Steve Cruddas, Dylan Raubenheimer
Reps not used:
Giles Healey, Ollie North.
Hav scorers:
Tries: Dylan Raubenheimer, Grant Morris Con: Pucs Ngapaku
London Scottish scores:
Tries: 1, Pens: 2