After the travails of the first round cup game against Cuffley, the team were not as spritely as they could have been in the build up to the Termites' Quarter Final. Never the most energetic of squads, the elder statesmen were beginning to creak. No less so than Captain Gawthorne who had pushed himself to the limit to try and be fit the game, even lasting 35 minutes at the Thursday touch training, but he just couldn’t pass the fitness test. Fortunately, Alex Douglas only had his son's birthday that afternoon, so he was readily available to step in for Gawthorne at the last minute. Albon took on the Captain's armband and was almost diplomatic on the pitch.

We were also able to pick from the endless tree of hirsute Colts players, and the crop (if not the mop) is good.

After the experienced midfield pairing of Sillitoe and Stacey in the previous week, we turned to some players half their age – with Archie Anstead (a regular of the Termites) and Luke McCutcheon, one of the youthful debutants. As with Anstead, McCutcheon is drawn from Hertford 1st XV pedigree, and his tall strong running lines were evident from the outset. Proving a handful time after time, McCutcheon powered through to score the opening try.

This was followed by the forward pack going through the very low gears, and Church leaning over to score. The scrum and slick lineouts were doing their thing as Herford were relentless with possession and territory. Numerous phases were followed by Baker skidding over out wide.
The wear and tear was telling however and Gerry Van Der Ryst had to take some time off as his calf (cow?) was playing up. This brought on the ever ready energiser Offy and some readjustments in the front row. The attrition eventually left us in the position of having a front row entirely of hookers – Offy, Douglas, Hollis. A safeguarding concern on so many levels.

Given the toil of the season, both teams were grateful that they could draw upon a 7-man bench, allowing players to (literally) roll on and off. The capacious capricious cornucopia of a bench made their mark.

With Harry Gawthorne limping off, we welcomed Colt James Hunter to fray and he introduced himself with a bang. A flailing fireball of red haired energy, the back rower stormed through the Royston defence, down the slope and released O'Leary on the wing, who just stepped into touch. Bang indeed. Any Hollis love-child comparisons would be very unfair, especially with the extended family present. Hunter was a big presence the whole game.

Despite missing out on a try on that occasion, O'Leary was soon on the score sheet doing the things he does very well – gas gas gas. The powerful winger got a couple of tries in the first half to make it 29-0 at half time.

Alway, a very different type of winger, was also putting himself about and relishing every one of Albon's kick chases and every opportunity to throw a dummy in open play.

The first half had been very solid, and the team had adapted well to the changes.

The beginning of the second half was quite different. Going down the hill, Royston started with much more energy and direction. With their pacey backline supported by some direct runners in the forwards, Royston pulled one back, and then another to make it 29-14. Hertford were on the back foot, barely making a mark in the second half, and there was a chance that Hertford could have really lost momentum. However, if ever you need some determination and blind optimism, then Anstead (as he also showed the week before) is the person to turn to. Given some static possession in the centres he twisted and turned, showed more desire than the opposition, and forced his way over to score. This was quickly followed by another kick chase that just wasn’t on, until it was on. 43-14 up and Hertford had given themselves the buffer they needed.

Royston continued to probe, but Hertford's determination was summed up when one of the Royston backs had broken from the half way line, and was – it appeared – scorching into the left hand corner, when Mcatamney flew over to smash the attacker into touch. Hertford had the game.

More big hits came in as Chris Van Der Ryst was on as a one-(just about?)man wreaking machine. Carpenter also tagged on and off, needing a rest after each of his big man trundles up the pitch.

Further tries began to flow. Offord drove over from close range, Mcatamney scored (probably), and O'Leary completed his hat trick.
There were a number of great flowing moves. With the backline play-makers of Mcatamney and Alway orchestrating the ball, and one lovely passage of play saw Dan Roe cruise round the Royston defence from 25 metres out.

The game was finished with O'Leary scoring another 50 metre try, to bring up ANOTHER 4 try haul. When will he pull his finger out and get 5?

Hertford worked really hard for 60 minutes to earn the win and reacted well to the Royston resurgence. They have secured an away Semi Final against Pinner on 20 April, and are looking to get through to the finals day at Hoe Lane on 27 April.

The Herford 3s just beat Welwyn, and are already in the finals at Hoe Lane on 27 April.

Copa Mundials: Thomas, Hollis, G Van Der Ryst, Baker, Church, H Gawthorne, Douglas, Roe; Roberts, O'Leary, Albon (c), McCutcheon, Anstead, Alway, Mcatamney

Cornucopials: Scully, C Van Der Ryst, Carpenter, Offord, Hunter, Pizzey

Clapped out captain: O Gawthorne

Tries: O'Leary 4, Anstead 2, McCutcheon, Church, Baker, Offord, Roe, Mcatamney