The newsletter below was sent out by Andy “Bunter” Green by email on the 26th Aug 26. Any VPs who have not received it should check their Junk emails and if not there are requested to send their email address to: andrew.green07@hotmail.com.

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Dear Vice President,

Welcome to all our Honorary Life Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents to the 2026/27 season.

INVITATION TO THE VICE PRESIDENTS LUNCH

Vice President’s Lunch – Saturday, 17th October 2026

You are cordially invited to attend Hertford RFC’s annual Vice Presidents Lunch.

Please join us for a complimentary 3 course set lunch, including match entrance and programme, and an afternoon of rugby with Hertford playing Sudbury in their Regional 1 South East Division match

Date: Saturday, 17th October 2026
Location: Club house
Time: Bars open from 12.00, lunch served at 13.00. Match kick off 15.00
Dress Code: Jacket & Club tie (VP ties can be bought in the Club shop)
RSVP: Please email andrew.green07@hotmail.com to let me know if you can / cannot attend and if you have any dietary requirements at your earliest convenience.

VICE PRESIDENTS DONATIONS

Many thanks to all those Vice Presidents who donated last season and to those who continue to do so through their existing standing orders. They are always very gratefully received and help enormously towards the running of the Club.

If you are not sure how much you would like to donate, it is suggested that a donation be made for at least the amount of the Club Non- Playing Membership Fee, which for 2026/27 is £80 per annum.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CLUB’S BANK ACCOUNT FOR MEMBERSHIP FEES & DONATIONS HAS CHANGED WITH NEW DETAILS BELOW.

IF YOU PAY YOUR VP DONATION BY STANDING ORDER AND HAVEN’T DONE SO TO DATE, PLEASE CANCEL AND REPLACE WITH A NEW ONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Donations for the 2026/27 season can be made by:
• registering and paying your membership via the RFU’s GMS – Game Management System. It will help our Treasurers if any VPs with children in the Mini & Youth sections pay their donations through GMS.
• direct payment to:
Sort Code: 20-45-45
Account name: Hertford RFC Operations Limited
Account No: 70345954
Ref: [insert your name] – VP
• by setting up a Standing Order with your bank.
• cheque made payable to Hertford Rugby Football Club and sent to Mr A. Green, 62 Fordwich Rise, Hertford, Herts SG14 2BN.

If you wish to amend your current Standing Order, then please do so directly with your bank.

If you do set up or amend a Standing Order, could you please advise details to the undersigned.

WELCOME TO NEW VPS AND HLVP

Many congratulations to the following members who were elected to become VPs at the Club’s AGM on the 08th July 26.

Senior Section: Mark Bell
Women & Girls Section: Rob Mills, Matt Simpson & Llewellyn Perkins
Minis Section: Paul Franks, Chris Sparrow & Danny Creak

Also congratulations to Charlotte (Voss) Waring who was elected to become an Honorary Life Vice President in recognition of her long and dedicated service as 1st XV Physio and in more recent years as Club Physio. She stood down from these duties at the end of last season. Thank you Charlotte!

FIXTURE BOOKLETS AND MEMBERSHIP CARDS

These will be available for collection from the bar in a couple of weeks’ time. The date will be confirmed on the website.

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT HOE LANE

GROUNDS & FACILITIES TEAM

The list of jobs, that need to be done to maintain our grounds and facilities at a level that makes us proud of being members of Hertford RFC, the recent LIT7’s event being an amazing example of how brilliant Hoe Lane can look, keeps growing but the team are getting older and need your support!!!!

Whether you have some time either on a regular basis or just now and again there are always jobs where you can help out.

Please don’t hold back and contact either Dave Baseley: dave.baseley@btinternet.com or Martin Harvey: 100437.1015@compuserve.com as soon as possible.

TEAM NEWS

At the end of last season Hertford 1st XV finished 7th place in their league, Regional 1 – South East (Level 5 in the RFU’s league structure). There were some disappointing results, not helped by many injury problems, before Xmas but thereafter they played some great rugby. With a bit more luck and some better game management they could have won the last 10 games including that amazing Christmas cracker at home to Letchworth, losing on the last play of the game. Colchester were promoted whilst Shelford and Medway were automatically relegated as were Amersham & Chiltern through the play-offs. Coming into our league for 2026/27 season are Eton Manor (winners Regional 2 Anglia , Northampton Old Scouts (winners Regional 2 Midlands East) & Sidcup (winners Regional 2 South East) and Old Colfeians from Regional 2 South East who beat Amersham & Chiltern in the play-offs. We have no Level 4 teams dropping down to our league this year with Sevenoaks and Oxford Harlequins going into other Level 5 leagues.

Our 2nd XV had an excellent first season in the newly formed Counties 1 Herts league (Level 7) finishing in 4th place. Cheshunt were promoted as winners of that league. With Essex forming their own Counties 1 league this season, Eton Manor 2’s and Southend 2’s have moved over to that league and new to the league will be Biggleswade, Datchworth & Royston.

Our 3rd XV have also been entered into a league for the 26/27 season, being Counties 3 Herts (Level 9).

We are currently awaiting fixtures for the Termites.

So plenty of competitive rugby to come and watch at Hoe Lane this coming season!!!

Note: As these proved to be very popular last season, the 2nd XV fixtures against Bishop’s Stortford have been moved to a Friday night – 13th Nov 26 (home) and 26th Feb 27 (away). We will also be looking to put on a pre-match lunch for a 2’s home match. Please keep an eye on the Club’s website for details.

On the coaching front, Marcus Cattell is Head Coach assisted by James Thacker, Jon Patton and Harry Cavlan. JP and Harry will look after the 2’s. Richard Gill has come in as our Strength & Conditioning Coach. Olly Gawthorne will manage / coach the 3’s. Cameron Withers has replaced Charlotte (Voss) Waring has head Physio.

DELAYED START TO SEASON

The first two games of the season have been postponed by the RFU due to ground conditions and rearranged as follows:

1st XV
12th Sept (home to Old Colfeians) moved to 10th Oct.
19th Sept (away to Eton Manor) moved to 28th Nov.

2nd XV
12th Sept (away to Datchworth) moved to 28th Nov.
19th Sept (home to Royston) moved to 09th Jan.

3rd XV
12th Sept (home to Hitchin 3’s ) moved to 10th Oct
19th Sept (away to Welwyn 2’s ) moved to 28th Nov

The remaining pre-season friendlies are now as follows:

Thursday, 27th Aug 26
1st XV squad away to Shelford. Kick Off: 19.45

Saturday, 12th Sept 26 (moved from 22nd Aug)
1st XV home to CS Stags. Kick Off 14.30
2nd / 3rd XV home to Cheshunt 2nd XV. Kick Off 12.30
Bars open from 11.30
Hot snacks and drinks available from the kitchen during the afternoon.

CLUB DIARY

Attached, please find a schedule of all 1’s 2’s & 3’s matches for the 2026/27 season. The schedule also includes details of the pre-match Lunches and Club events, Duty Officers together with all the England Men’s Internationals. For your info the attached work sheet has a split screen so simply scroll left or right or up and down.

PRE-MATCH LUNCHES (held before each 1st XV home game)

Note: The date of the Ladies Day and Supporters Charity Lunch has changed from the 20th March to 27th Feb 27 to avoid the clash with the Saracens showdown match at the Tottenham Hotspur ground.

SUPPORTERS LUNCHES

The dates of the Supporters Lunches are:
26th Sep 26 – Sidcup
10th Oct 26 – Old Colfeians
21st Nov 26 – HUEL Tring
12th Dec 26 – Old Northamptonians
19th Dec 26 – Eton Manor – Supporters Xmas Lunch
06th Feb 27 – Letchworth G.C.
27th Feb 27 – Westcliff – Ladies Day & Supporters Charity Lunch – Bookings being taken for “Supporters” tables
20th Mar 27 – North Walsham

These Supporters lunches are open to all Club Members, their friends and guests and are often booked for corporate entertaining, reunions, celebrations, coaches get togethers etc.

The cost will be £32.50 (inc VAT) per person except for the Supporters Xmas Lunch which to be advised. This includes a 3-course meal, match entrance & programme.
The Club bars will be open from midday with lunch served from 1pm. All matches kick off at 15.00 apart from the one on Ladies Day which is 15.15.

Please note: You can book any number of places or tables can be reserved for 8 to 12 people.

To book your place(s)/table(s) please contact Andy “Bunter” Green, details below.

VICE PRESIDENTS AND SPONSORS & PATRONS LUNCHES

The dates of these “By invitation only” lunches are:
17th Oct 26 – Sudbury – VP Lunch
16th Jan 27 – Northampton Old Scouts - Sponsors & Patrons Lunch

Invitations for these two lunches will be sent out in due course but we ask all VPs and Sponsors & Patrons to put the relevant date(s) in their diaries now.

PUB AND LADIES DAY & SUPPORTERS CHARITY LUNCHES

The dates of these two very special lunches are:
31st Oct 26 – Southend Saxons – Pub & Landlords Lunch
27th Feb 27 – Westcliff – Ladies Day & Supporters Charity Lunch

Details of these two lunches will be sent out to our regular table organisers by email.

Kind regards

Andy

Andy “Bunter” Green
Membership Secretary

Hertford Rugby Football Club
Hoe Lane
Ware
SG12 9NZ

Mobile No: 07900 888131
Email address: andrew.green07@hotmail.com