The news that two players will not be returning to Hertford and the growing list of injuries and absences (10 at the last count) meant that our Hertford A and Scorpions sides were reduced to 13-a-side when they took to the field on Sunday for their first ever league games. We've had to balance players across the squads to make it work - thanks to all the parents and boys for making it happen without any fuss.

Bishop's Stortford B 26-31 Scorpions
The Scorpions had the early KO at 10am at Bishop's Stortford B in the midst of the heaviest rain of the morning - it's a credit to both teams that they managed such an exciting and high scoring game with Scorpions prevailing with a try scoring bonus point as well. From what I hear the game was played in good spirit and a 26-31 win gets the Scorpions' HML Division 6 campaign started with maximum points. Unfortunately I have lost my Scorpions match reporter - so if anyone fancies the job, I'd love a brief write up every week please!

Letchworth 10-19 Hertford A
Winter is coming....The warm-up at Letchworth was conducted in the driving rain however by the time the team changed into their match shirts and jogged out to the pitch the rain had stopped and everything was starting to dry out. Hertford started the game playing down the slope.

Letchworth got off the mark first with a penalty in the early stages of the game. Our players will need to pay attention to the new directive to referees about appealing for decisions and general back chat - the referee was having none of it from either side and twice Hertford were sent back 20m unnecessarily.

Both sides were very competitive at the contact area and the scrum each having turnover success. A period of sustained Hertford pressure was finally rewarded with a try in the corner for Jack Davey, with Fionn narrowly missing the conversion, 3-5 to Hertford. The game continued to ebb and flow with both sides enjoying solid attacking options, however tempers were fraying on both sides and several unsavoury incidents led to a Hertford and a Letchworth player seeing yellow cards as the half time whistle blew.

Hertford started the half brightly with a good attack, however in kicking possession away gave, Letchworth the opportunity to counter-attack which resulted in a well worked try and conversion 10-5.

Another attack from a Hertford kick and Letchworth appeared to have been awarded a try in spite of a clear foot in touch with the touch judge unsighted by spectators. After some discussion, the referee pulled the game back to the touchline and a Hertford lineout was awarded. Letchworth didn't have to do that and it's a credit to them that they did. I also think this contributed to the increasingly ill-tempered and niggly nature of the game.

Knocks and injuries forced a reorganisation of the forwards as the intensity of the encounter took its toll but Hertford were starting to grind through the gears after being given a lifeline. Our half-backs Tom and Fionn started bossing the game and Toby crashed through under the posts to regain the lead, Fionn added the extras taking us to 10-12

A red card for Letchworth left them a man down for the remaining 6 minutes, during which Hertford retained the ball well and applied constant pressure a deliberate offside tackle in front of the posts saw a penalty try awarded to Hertford and clear space between Hertford and Letchworth at 10-19 with just enough time for the restart. Victory was secured as Fionn kicked to touch to end the game.

Lots to learn as ever, but the key to victory was retaining self-control under pressure and in the main we managed that. Well done boys.

It's still a bittersweet victory, as we saw Ollie leave the pitch with potential ligament damage after the penalty try and, at the time of writing, the prospect of a long layoff - wishing him and all our other injured players a speedy recovery.

Training Weds 26th Sept
Training will take place at Hertford on Wednesday 6.30-8pm , we will take stock of our playing squads and make any tweaks to the squad necessary.

League Matches 30th Sept
Both sides are away again as Hertford A travel to Cow Lane to face Tring and Scorpions travel to Ruislip B. Both will be tough games and I anticipate that we will be operating at reduced numbers again. Timings TBC.