Welwyn took their good form from last week into this clash against neighbours Harpenden and a fine performance saw them come away with local bragging rights with a narrow 19-22 win. The match marked the opening of Harpenden’s new artificial grass pitch by the RFU and the immaculate playing surface and the beautiful weather provided the perfect conditions for an attacking game of rugby.

Honours were largely even in the opening fifteen minutes although Harpenden lost lock Ed Preston to the bin following a quick tap penalty taken by Yourgos Alexander. Three minutes later, Welwyn took advantage of their numerical superiority. Dave Francis took a good ball at the tail of the lineout and fed Conor Boland, who crashed over to open the scoring. Five minutes later, Harpenden responded with a try of their own. Following a break in midfield, centre Billy Sach scored under the posts and Will Hales converted to put Harpenden 7-5 ahead. Welwyn’s response was almost immediate. Good lineout possession gave Alexander room to release tearaway wing forward Josh Milton, who raced in from thirty yards to score under the posts. Ben Osgood converted and Welwyn led 7-12. On the stroke of half time, Harpenden were awarded a couple of very kickable penalties but elected to scrum on each occasion. Eventually, the pressure told and wing Jack Pennell scored in the corner to level the match at 12-12 at half time.

Chris Kemp replaced Ben Osgood early in the second half but soon saw yellow for a team offence close to the Welwyn line. Harpenden’s response was almost immediate as wing forward George Attfield galloped over for a converted try to put Harpenden back in the lead at 19-12. It was now Welwyn’s turn to attack and a kickable penalty was refused in favour of a kick to the corner. From the lineout, Boland broke free to score his second try of the game almost unopposed and Dave Fennell’s conversion levelled the scores at 19-19.

With five minutes left on the clock, Welwyn elected to kick a penalty and the returning Chris Kemp did the necessary to put Welwyn ahead at 19-22. There was still time in the game for Harpenden to have one last attack but a penalty kick which would have levelled the scores was narrowly missed. Welwyn then retained possession for the remainder of the game and closed the match out, much to the delight of the travelling supporters.

The win puts Welwyn into second place in the league although the four sides below them each have a game in hand. Welwyn now face Grasshoppers at home on Saturday.