Termites traditions on show in triumphant display as O'Leary fails to score 5

The Termites tradition of aligning some old dogs with young speedy school boy talent was on full display last Saturday, as a very strong backline ripped into Biggleswade to hog all of the tries (probably 11, maybe 12). The backs were electric when they needed to run round people, devastating when they opted to run straight, and dominant in defence when Biggleswade ran at them.

In a typical warm-up of the advent season, there was a mixture of retching and wallowing as the team tried to get their game heads and stomachs ready. Roberts, having been the hostess with mostess the day before, was most definitely regretting that final mince pie and bottle of port.

Nonetheless, when the whistle went Roberts was charging around everywhere and making the forwards work really hard; he claimed that it was too windy to pass to the backs. From one series of forward drives into the Biggleswade 22 he spotted an undefended blind side and scooted over from 10 metres. This was soon followed by more forward rumbles, including a great burst and ball presentation by Heltsley, with Roberts then bullocking through at least 3 tackles to score his second try. At this stage we were being very forward orientated, and the backs were already moaning about not getting the ball. There is definitely a place for this sort of 9 man rugby on wet and windy days. Indeed Hertford's nicest person, Neilson, did remark that whilst most scrum halves are otherwise known as half-backs, it may be better to categorise Roberts as a half-forward. The forwards will happily claim him.

Anyway, the proper backs did finally get the ball and didn’t really let go it again, with Albon slinging a long pass to O'Leary who stepped and went over to score from 60 metres out. The forwards take great pride in battling inch by inch in their confrontations with the opposition, and then you get a quick player make more yards in a few seconds than the forwards will ever do in their career; and not even look out of breath.

One of the youngsters who helped link the backs and forward was Champney, who used his pace and energy from the back row to ensure that the ball was being recycled (Paul also did all of the lineout jumping - great work; the oldies were definitely not going up!).

We went onto to score another try (probably Sillitto), before Biggleswade fought back and spent the last 10 minutes of the half attacking. They scored two tries and had the momentum. Their backs were making some big breaks until Gawthorne the Indomitable started smashing them backwards. In response, with the last play of the half, we took the easy option and passed to O'Leary who scooted round the opposition for his second.

Into the second half, Hunt and Porch, two more school boy recruits, came on and showed their pace straight away. With his very first touch, Hunt was given the ball in the Biggleswade 22 with almost no space, but a dart and jink took him away from two tacklers, and he found the space to accelerate over.

Gazzard was also on in the backs and Tom Baker came on in the back row to make a forceful impact. A bit less pace and force, but just as important, we also brought on the experienced heads of Crook, Byrne, and Neilson (who was put into the boiler room to show yet more rugby versatility).

There was a steady flow of tries. O'Leary picking up his third and fourth (one of which Porch, having done all the hard work, deferentially handed to Jacob), Porch then rightfully claimed his own try. Tattersall, enjoying his return to rugby after a 4ish year family and work hiatus bounded over, and Sillito then used his trademark direct route (great line, great line) to power through a tackle and then just reach over.

We think that covered all of the scorers. The only other amusing action was the very greedy O'Leary complaining about not being allowed a fifth try (the pass looked forward from those of lying on the floor).

It was great to see such a strong backline out for the Termites, and it is hoped that the youngsters learnt something from the old brigade.

Whilst the rest of the teams were able to retire to the bar, one of the Biggleswade players was left on the sideline for a couple of hours waiting for an ambulance. He had lots of support from the Biggleswade team and supporters, and it is hoped that he is doing well.

Team: Jack Humphries, Mark Ellis, Jason Heltsley, Connor Scully, Alfred Church, Paul Champney, Ryan Heywood, Alex Douglas; Ellis Roberts, Dave Albon, Jacob O'Leary, Olly Gawthorne ©, Lewis Sillitto, James Tattersall, Greg Donovan

Energisers: Ernie Hunt, Oscar Porch, Tom Baker, Paul Neilson, Matt Crook, Sam Gazzard, Chris Byrne

Tries: O'Leary 4, Sillitto 2, Roberts 2, Porch, Hunt, Tattersall (and maybe another one)