Despite having numerous opportunities to seize the moment and control the game, Sudbury's street smarts ensured that they were always one step ahead and victory always just out of reach for Hertford.

Understandably rusty after a 4 week break due to Christmas and two postponed games and the disappointing away performance at Harpenden, Hertford started slowly by conceding possession from the kick off and then barely touching the ball for 5 minutes as Sudbury attacked relentlessly with vigour and purpose down the hill. Sudbury, third in the league, were showing no signs of their respective Hogmananious hiatus. The Hertford defence was typically robust throughout with Fry, as ever, at the forefront with able and stout support from Basra. Nonetheless, with the ball moving back and forth across the pitch, Sudbury eventually found their gaps and scored an unconverted try out wide to the right.

Having finally got the opportunity to put some phases together, Hertford also showed ambition in their attack, creating space on the right wing for Jackson to fly round. The rapid winger was almost at full pelt when he stepped inside, slipped, and was hit high. The physios responded immediately, and that was the end of Jackson's game, whilst Sudbury lost a player to the sin bin.

Hertford wanted to keep up the pressure and kicked for the corner. Frustratingly, and as happened several times, the Hertford lineout was turned over and Sudbury were able to clear their lines. Sudbury were also showing themselves to be very effective at the strip tackle, and repeatedly pulled the ball from the grasp of Hertford players.

Hertford continued to pressurise Sudbury, and after some neat front row union interplay between Jones and Bovaird, Hale released the marauding Kay on the wing 30 metres out to charge towards the touchline. After his increased familiarity with the wide open spaces and with the significant momentum it looked like he was bound to score, but he was just stopped short and the ball was turned over again.

Hertford looked like they were back in the game, and when Fry tackled and was straight on his feet to steal the ball from a Sudbury player, the crowd felt that they had got on top of the visitors. Unfortunately, Sudbury's quality in possession shone through and on 20 minutes the pace that they put onto the recycled ball resulted in them going over near the posts to make it 12-0.

Sudbury continued to control much of the first half, but Hertford showed glimpses of their threat. Davies in particular, playing at full back this week, was utilising the extra space and making several breaks through the middle of the pitch. One of these resulted in a penalty some way out. Unexpectedly, Hertford chose to go for the kick, and even more unexpectedly Lemon did not get the kick. It was a sign that Hertford were desperate to register a score; so much so that Hertford even resorted to the rolling maul. Hertford got the shove on and were within striking distance to allow Jones to dive in from a few metres through the legs of his opponent. Lovely nutmeg! Lemon with the extras, and after 39 minutes Hertford were finally on the score board. 12-7.

There was still time for Sudbury to mount another attack, and it looked like they would squeeze in the corner before Hale came across with a smart and smothering cover tackle.

12-7 at half term, and Hertford were in the game but as described on the sideline were looking a bit 'floppy'.

The second half presented ample opportunities for Hertford to dominate, but they just couldn’t quite maintain the pressure even as Sudbury were losing players to the sin bin.

Hertford started much more brightly in the second half and an impudent interception by Jones deep in Hertford's own half, led to an entertaining chuckle brother exchange down the wing - to me, to you, to me, to you - with Hale as they surged into the Sudbury 22. Hertford then put the ball wide and got intercepted themselves, resulting in Sudbury running almost the length of the pitch to score. 17-7.

Having resorted to the rolling maul in the first half, Hertford went even further back in rugby tactic time in an effort to try and get a break – and went for a huge up and under. Proper Garryowen with snow on it. Gilchrist followed up fantastically, breaking tackles and popping up to the ever lively Lemon to score near the post. 17-14 and Hertford were in touching distance.

With things getting closer, Sudbury started giving away more penalties as they disrupted the play, and lost another player to the sin bin (probably for a slap down). The big kick was just within Lemon's range, and he evened the scores at 17-17.

From the restart Sudbury lost another played to the sin-bin for taking out in the air, so with a 2 man advantage and having just scored 10 points, this was a golden opportunity for Hertford to take the game by the scruff and get on top. Understandably, Hertford went for the lineout and maul from the penalty just outside the Sudbury 22. But with excellent game management by Sudbury, anticipating a big drive from the Hertford forwards, they stood back so no maul was formed and went round the back to steal the Hertford ball. The Hertford pack just did not react, and so blindsided by the ploy the Sudbury forwards were able to break all the way down the other end of the pitch. At one of the subsequent rucks Sudbury again showed their knowledge to pick and go right through the undefended middle of the ruck, resulting in another converted try 27-17. At the crunch moment, with 2 players down, Sudbury took a well organised and calculated gamble, and it paid off handsomely.

Hertford were far from done, but "Events, Dear Boys, Events". Sudbury had reacted to their events, and come through with the points. Hertford just couldn’t quite match it. Mangling other political management theory, making good decisions comes from experience; and you get your experience from making bad decisions. Hertford are definitely still building their experience. Indeed, they retaliated with their own truck-and-trailer trap soon after, giving us a dangerous scrum 22 metres out from Sudbury's line. Banna then went on one of his baresark charges flinging defenders off until a path to the tryline opened up and off he went. Unfortunately, three Sudbury players then jumped on top of him. Kay then went on a bumper car ride, shunting people off him, until he too was dragged down. Hertford toiled but didn’t quite have the decision making to finish it off.

It wasn’t until the last play of the game that Davies completely unlocked the Sudbury defence by a chip and chase and regather, a pass to Lemon to jink around a defender, and then out to the determined Bridgewood who fought over the line. This try brought Hertford to within 7, and therefore a league bonus point.

Onwards for the rest of 2025 in which this team will get more experience and make many good decisions.

Team: Christy Basra, Steff Jones (c), James Bovaird, Joe Tracy, Sonny Swift, Alex Banna, Tremaine Fry, Alex Kay; Dom Merrett, Sam Little, Ben Bridgewood, Ben Gilchrist, Morgan Jackson, Lloyd Davies.

Subs: Ciaran Galvin, Taite Williams, David Hale
Tries: Jones, Lemon, Bridgewood
Cons: 2 Lemon
Pen: 1 Lemon
Player of the Match: Lemon
Sponsor of the Match: Longmores Solicitors