Our last game against CS Rugby Stags was a tough encounter and going against the wind we found ourselves 17 nil down and seemingly on the wrong side of the referee. The boys kept their composure to get back in the game and played well in the second half to win the game and claim the 5 points.

Tim Matthews was the pick of the forwards, having an outstanding game, and both half backs had excellent performances, controlling field position and getting us back in the frame to win the game. In fact, all the boys put their hands up and credit to them for sticking to the game plan and executing. Josh Corcoran was again very influential in getting those messages across but, even better than that, he is playing some really good rugby at the moment and is back to his best.

This week the front row sees Matthews starting alongside Hewitt at tighthead, with Hughes on the bench, after playing a lot of rugby in the past few weeks. Joyce returns to start at hooker after his sabbatical at Henley and London Irish Wildgeese. Ellis is not available this week as he has his Father's 50th birthday to attend, Hodgson has just returned from a 6 week injury lay off, but is not available the Saturday after due to a funeral. Basra is also still on the injured list.

Will Brady, who acquitted himself well in the last few weeks, is not available for the next two weeks, so Keens and Archer partner in the second row, with Elston returning from injury and Corcoran and Kinsley making up the rest of the back row. Tom Meller, who impressed coming off the bench last week, is again amongst the replacements. Chris Joannou is on the injured list after playing for Cyprus last Saturday, and Torran Macdougal is named in the second team after returning from his brother’s wedding in sunny Oz.

The half backs are Sargent and Lloyd and both are playing very well and leading. Streets and Smart are in the centres again and we see no reason to change this, as both had good games. Stockwell and Lemon are on the wings, with Barker at full back and Mitchell covers the bench spot with Monkey not available this week due to work commitments, although he will be available until Christmas after this week.

Finally, just a matter which I feel needs clearing up. Our players do not write the match reports, it is done by an independent body, who has no affiliation with us or our opposition. Also, this squad report is written by me and me only. These are then uploaded here by Ben Lloyd, who makes sure it is in a legible format. This was part of his job when he worked at Wasps, as well as looking after social media and he does this for us because I ask him to and does not get paid for doing it. Even when he was not selected for the 1st XV last year, he offered to do it without any hesitation. In this regard he is no exception to the rest of the squad, who all help out where they can to make Hertford RFC a happier place and environment to work in.

We look forward to seeing you all at Hoe Lane on Saturday.

Many thanks,

Baz

1st XV to play Chingford at Hoe Lane this Saturday 17th November, KO 3pm

15 Harry Barker
14 Joe Stockwell
13 Stuart Smart
12 Richard Streets
11 Kyle Lemon
10 Ben Lloyd
9 Michael Sargent

1 Tim Matthews
2 Chris Joyce
3 Josh Hewitt
4 James Keens
5 Dave Archer
6 Jack Elston
7 Josh Corcoran (c)
8 James Kinsley

16 Geoff Hughes
17 Tom Meller
18 Jack Mitchell