Hackney Bulls dig deep to edge out London Wasps

Bulls' number 8 Colin Kpodonu breaks through the Wasps' pack for a blistering try-scoring run. Photo: Philip Kirkpatrick

In a thrilling encounter Hackney Bulls pulled off a remarkable victory over London Wasps at the famous club’s Twyford Avenue ground in West London. The team’s final Middlesex Under-14 League 6 match on Sunday 27 March was a fitting end to the league season in which the team has shown great spirit and the ability to fight back from difficult positions.

For much of this bruising encounter played on a rock hard pitch the home team were in the ascendency launching wave after wave of attacks towards Hackney’s try line. But the visitors refused to buckle under the pressure and a series of try saving tackles, particularly towards the end of the second half, kept them in the game.

The first half was held up for a lengthy period due to a nasty shoulder injury to a Wasps player which required an ambulance being driven on to the pitch. Hackney wish him well and a speedy recovery.

When play restarted Wasps used their well-drilled forward pack to punch a series of holes in Hackney’s defence. They scored the first try of the game after winning a scrum against the head with their back row gathering the bull and scoring down the blind side.

But at 5-0 down going into the second half Hackney started to dig deep and launched their own attacks. Once again inspiration came from the Bulls’ athletic no 8 Colin Kpondonu who set off on one of his trademark storming runs to score under the posts. Captain Charlie Couve converted to put the visitors right back in it at at 7-5.

A last ditch defence from Bulls' winger Jazz Christie keeps Wasps out again. Photo: Philip Kirkpatrick

With all still to play for the home team threw everything at the Bulls retaining the ball well and stringing phase after phase together deep within the visitor’s half. They scored one try to take the lead but in all honesty they could have had three or four more but for a series of last ditch tackles by Jazz Chrystie, Matt Nairn and two by Michael Taylor, the smallest player on the pitch.

In a thrilling last 10 minutes the Bulls came roaring back with forward Raffi Dutta almost scoring after a great run. With the last attack of the match centre Matt Nairn outpaced the covering defence to give the Bulls their second try and a tenacious 12-10 victory.