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Tring RFC left Shel-shocked
Unbeaten Shelford were the visitors to Cow Roast on Saturday, with the London 1 League leaders leaving it late to take all the points from what was a fast-paced and entertaining encounter.
Coming into the match Tring had lost their previous three games by conceding in the final throws of the match, and it was the same old story as Shelford stole it in the final five minutes.
The Cambridgeshire side came out of the blocks hard and fast putting pressure on the home side straight from the kick off.
But Tring refused to be intimated and showed their visitors that they weren't going to be easily battered into submission, as a quick counter attack allowed Henry Kirchener to open the scoring with a try after five minutes, Newton converting superbly.
But Shelford struck back immediately, finding an overlap in the form of full back Edward Gough who touched down under the posts and converted with ease.
The home side retook the lead after 12 minutes when Centre Greg Blick combined with Liam Chennels to create space in the Shelford line and score next to the posts. Newton converted and this, coupled with a penalty on 17 minutes, gave the home side a 10-point cushion.
It was a full 20 minutes before Gough increased his points tally with a well-taken long range penalty, while another infringement just before the half hour mark allowed Gough to take the score to 17-13.
It was the visitors' powerful pack that got them in front for the first time - hooker Kramer Ronaki blitzing his way through after a series of driving mauls broke down Tring's defence.
Gough converted once again.
The lead switched hands again with second-row Gareth Briggenshaw replying almost immediately for the home side, with Newton's extras giving Tring a four-point lead at the break (24-20).
Tring opened the second half where they left off the first with a concerted attack on Shelford's line.
They were repeatedly denied by some experienced defending - Shelford's efforts eventually resulting in a penalty that Newton slotted through.
Ronaki then scored his second of the match, to which Gough added the two points, to tie the game at 27 points apiece.
A period of attrition followed with both sides slugging it out to get the advantage.
Tring retook the lead through Tom Newton's third successful penalty kick of the match, with their three-point lead holding until the 75th minute when replacement lock Aki Lea dived over and Gough converted to take it to 30-34.
Tring fought hard for the score that could hand them victory but some shrewd play from the visitors kept their line safe.
Tring coach Jon Lambden said: "It was a brilliant game, no doubt a joy to watch for the neutral.
"This game shows that we can mix it with the best of them in this league and is a marked improvement against our early performances this season. Where we were once 30 points adrift we are now competing.
"The players are developing well in all areas and, importantly, are enjoying getting better. It's now a case of pulling all the pieces together."
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Weather for Hemel Hempstead
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: East
