Haringey beat Old Street

This Saturday the Haringey Rhinos travelled to Hackney Marshes where the Women's team had won 6 days before, pressure was on for the Rhinos to match the result and pull out their fifth consecutive win. The grass was short with a slick mud, but firm underfoot.

The Rhinos started well defensively but couldn't quite seem to string the phases together in attack, and probably found themselves under a bit more pressure than they needed to be under. Although the defence was looking good eventually Old St got over, but missed the conversion.
This fired Haringey up and they struck back almost immediately with a move straight off the training ground, McKenna's hard line tying in the defenders and fly half Rowan Cole outpaced everyone to score under the posts. Ben Swinbourne continuing his hot streak from the boot.

Not much more time had passed before the Rhinos struck again after a lineout spill on their 5 metre line, Stephen Domoustchiev was first to dive on the ball the had spilled over the line. Swinbourne converting again.

Half Time 14-5

The second half could not have started any better for the Rhinos scoring within a couple of phases of kick off after a massive carries from Dom Dyer and Tommy Gordon, Rowan Cole finished the move for his second try of the game. Swinbourne with his third conversion of the day.

Old Street struck again through their number 8, and the conversion was added 21-12

The Rhinos quickly got back to where they wanted to be, and after winning a penalty 10 metres out, some quick thinking from scrum half Marcin Zatorski took a tap and fought his way over. Swinbourne missed conversion on a tough kick. 26-12

Old Street scored for the final time after a catch and drive from 5 metres out and from there on out it was all Rhinos 26-19.
After a big carry that came up agonisingly short from McKenna, the Rhinos recycled quickly and full back Lewis Austin finished the move.
After a friendly discussion with the ref about the goal line and 22 drop out rule, the ref decided that the captain needed a ten minute rest and Stephen Domoustchiev took over skipper duties Some great fire from the boys off the bench really galvanising the team in this period. In the 10 minutes that he rested on the sidelines, the Rhinos scrum would win 3 penalties at scrum time, in spite of the one man disadvantage. Which made Old Streets election to scrum a penalty on their 5 metre line somewhat baffling straight after Haringey had been returned to their full compliment, the Rhinos duly pushed them straight off their own ball, another quick tap from Zatorski and Aiden Keenan Morrison was put in in the corner. Strong contenders for Man of the Match all over the pitch, including names not mentioned here, Rowan Cole who's would be hat trick (questionable referee call) was just pipped to the post by a stellar all round effort from the Bear, Stephen Domoustchiev.

Dick of the Day Hazis Krasniqi for vomitting on the pitch.