Home form has once again been key in a mixed start to the season, but the emphatic bonus point win at Sudbury could be the catalyst for an upturn in fortunes.

Hertford withstood early Sudbury pressure before capitalising on their first attacking opportunity. David Hale was stopped just metres short of line after a clever sniping run, but Sudbury’s defence was now stretched, and Hertford recycled well to give Josh Rudling the easiest of tries.

Hertford searched for a second try, but were put back under pressure by a long clearance kick which forced Louis Kendrick to touch down and take a goal line dropout. The resulting attack gave Sudbury their first try of the game.

An excellent penalty kick to touch from Kendrick put Hertford in a strong position to get back in front. After winning clean ball from the line out, Hale’s looping pass set up Alex Kay in the corner. (Feature Picture)

Hertford started the second half superbly thanks to great work from Alex Banna. He broke away from the back of maul and dashed over the line like a galloping Wilderbeest!

Hertford now had breathing space, but did not rest on their laurels. They pressurised Sudbury for the majority of the half, and eventually found the bonus point try when 1st team debutant Ollie Cook picked up the ball 25 metres out from the try line and jinked his way through, a brilliant individual try from the centre and what a moment for him! Kendrick added two penalties either side of the try, giving Hertford an unassailable lead.

Sudbury added two late tries to make it 17-32 and take some gloss off the scoreline, but nothing could take away from Hertford’s fine performance, and most importantly, a win in the ‘unlucky swirly custard kits’.

All eyes are now on tomorrow’s clash against Letchworth, where old friends reunite in what should be a feisty local derby. Hertford will look to continue the momentum and keep climbing that table, where only a bonus point win separate 10th and 2nd.