MATCH REPORT: Hertford 48-10 Shelford

Shelford scored an interception try in the opening minute but that was as good as it got for the visitors, and head coach Kanwailjit Basra is hoping the victory is a taste of what is to come from his team.

“The loss to Tunbridge Wells was very frustrating, but this was a lot better as we cut out the silly mistakes.

“It was by no means perfect and there’s a lot of work to do but we got the bonus point and that’s important.

“We took a lot more of our chances, but still probably missed out on four or five more tries.

“It was much, much better.”

After the early wake up call when Shelford intercepted a pass after Hertford had got over the gain line and were in a two on one situation, Richard Streets got the hosts on the board with an excellent score after some good attacking play through the middle.

Ben Lloyd converted, and it was soon 12-7 as Mike Rugeley scored, with extras again added by Lloyd.

“We went through lots of phases and the ball went through plenty of hands – they were both really good tries.”

Jack Elston was next over the whitewash, after winning recycled ball following a lineout, scrum half Michael Sargent sniped and put in a reverse pass for a score under the posts.

That made it 19-7 at half-time, and Hertford kept piling on the pressure in the second half, playing some really good rugby.

Sam Walker was first to score after the break, bagging the bonus point after more good pressure through the middle, beating two defenders to go underneath the posts.

With the conversion successful and a penalty slotted over as well, Hertford led 29-10.
Richard Streets had a good ruck clearout and Sargent sneaked through to score the next try.

Further tries from Jack Elston, Jack Mitchell and Torran MacDougall rounded off an emphatic triumph for the hosts.

“Training was very hard last week and we wanted a reaction from the boys and we got that so it was really pleasing,” added Basra.

“We were more ruthless in attack, and kept them down to one try and one penalty so the defence was good.

“There are lots of tough games coming up so we really need to be on our mettle.

“We’ve got a hard fixture this weekend at Westcliff, who have their opening two games.

“It’s always a tough place to go but we need to get a five pointer there.

“Stuart Smart is back in contention for selection and Tim Matthews will return after the birth of his baby girl.

“Everyone else is fit but Red Newberry is unavailable, but we have other players who can come in who are equally as good.”

Updated 12:30 - 30 Aug 2019 by Mick Faires