Belsize Park continue strong start with victory against Hackney
The new rugby season is now underway (pic: George Phillipou/TGS Photo) - Credit: George Phillipou/TGS Photo
Belsize Park continued their strong start to the season with a comfortable 42-0 victory against Hackney.
The Regent’s Park club remained top of the London Two North West with that win thanks to tries from Lewis Dyke, Adam Anzani-Jones, Rhys Griffiths, Henry Wooles, Harrison George and six conversions from George Humphries.
The rivalry turned out to be a much more one-sided encounter than in previous seasons with Belsize largely dominant throughout, despite having key players sidelined.
A near perfect kick-off from Humphries ensured Hackney were pinned back from the start and although the first maul attempt collapsed several breakdown infringements by Hackney followed and a penalty was already coming when the ball was spilled in midfield.
The odd handling error in the red zone kept the score at 0-0 but with the wind firmly at Belsize’s backs it was virtually impossible for Hackney to buy any breathing space, with the entire opening 15 minutes in their final 22.
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The first try came from the dominant Belsize pack after a well executed catch and drive lineout move saw them push through the Hackney defences with hooker Harrison George coming up with the ball and eventually touching down.
Humphries added the extras and two ferocious carries in the midfield were enough for a score under the sticks by skipper Dyke, whose converted try made it 14-0.
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Wooles then walked into the less-defended blind side before Humphries was again on point to make it 21-0.
A wonderfully worked training ground move made it 28-0 just before the half-time whistle.
There was a slow start to the second half with Belsize coughing up the ball five metres out early on.
But only a few phases later, Anzani-Jones carved through and dotted down.
There was one final cherry on the cake for Belsize as Niven was caught in midfield and went for a between the legs pass to the left, which allowed the back three to combine and cruise in for the sixth and final try with Griffiths completing the job.
Humphries completed his perfect day from the tee to complete the scoring.
