This was always going to be a very difficult afternoon for Welwyn in their first outing since the Christmas break and so it proved to be with the vistors helping themselves to 11 tries in a one-sided contest. Haberdashers proved to be an even stronger outfit than in the away fixture back in September, with the addition of a powerful running No 8 who scored three tries and strengthened their side even further. They remain top of the league and in a three-way fight for promotion with HAC and Hampstead. On this form, it would be a brave man who bets against them winning the league and getting promoted at the end of the season.

Welwyn made several changes to their side due to unavailability and injury with Gillespie, Sloan, Kemp, Freeston and Ollie Di-Lieto all missing from the starting line-up. They did, however, welcome Dave Wells back into the side after a long absence and his ball carrying was a useful addition to Welwyn’s armoury. The match was played in still and overcast conditions with some light rain making handling difficult. Welwyn started brightly and opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a well struck penalty converted by Harry Di-Lieto from 40 metres out. Haberdashers, however, then scored four converted tries in the first half to lead 3-28 at the break. Rory Harcourt took a bang on the head and was replaced at half time by Ben Osgood. Joe Burns also replaced Ash Maxwell at half time in a tactical switch. Maxwell would return to the fray later in the second half. After the break, Haberdashers scored two unconverted tries to take a 3-38 lead with 20 minutes to play with Welwyn now very much on a damage limitation exercise.

Unfortunately, the visitors’ superior fitness and excellent lines of running and support play reaped the inevitable benefits in the final quarter and five converted tries took the score line to 3-73 and another comprehensive win for Haberdashers who look a very fine side indeed. Despite the heavy defeat, Welwyn can take a few positives from the game. The experienced James Powell performed well in the line-out in the absence of Chris Sloan and Welwyn introduced 17-year- old flanker Josh Milton into the game midway through the second half for his 1 st XV debut as a replacement for Henry Fee. His first action was a head-on tackle on the impressive No 8 which he performed in text book fashion to demonstrate his undoubted potential and ability to play at this level.

Welwyn face another difficult match next Saturday when they travel to second place Hampstead. Welwyn remain second bottom and will need to target the games against the mid-table teams to try to edge their way out of the two relegation places.