Penalty wrangle

6:27pm Tuesday 19th February 2002

Barnet Saracens Elizabethans 3

Letchworth 7

Herts President's Cup quarter-final

Barnet were knocked out of the Herts President's Cup by Letchworth on Sunday in a disappointing game, despite perfect playing conditions.

Barnet's plans were disrupted by the late arrival of Richard Greenwood, their influential second row forward.

A police officer, he had been on duty in the morning and made his appearance just before half-time. And with Peter Moulton already playing out of position at centre, the team was unusual to say the least.

Barnet were rueing two early missed penalties by Richard Perkins before he was successful, giving them a 3-0 lead.

Letchworth took advantage of poor lineout play when they were unopposed at the back and drove on, scoring a converted try to make the score 3-7.

Barnet will point to a crucial decision midway through the second half which may have cost them the game. Glyn Bayley chipped ahead of the only remaining defender, but his run was blocked.

Although the award of a penalty try would not have been unreasonable, Barnet were given an easy penalty close to the posts. However, they chose to run it and lost possession.