This was not the exiting narrative arc that the crowd were expecting, but there was still great satisfaction in a run-of-the-mill, frill free victory that means that Hertford have stayed up. Having started 2023 rooted to the bottom of the league, the team have ended up with a very comfortable buffer of at least 8 points from the relegation zone, with Medway and Sidcup the two relegated teams.

The Hoe Lane experience this season, up until Saturday, has been incredibly intense. From the opening home game in September against Tunbridge Wells when the crowd were excited to see a new generation of players come through to the 1st XV but who were well beaten by a more powerful team, to the signs of clear progression and promise with the hard fought one score wins against Harpenden (by which stage we had lost 3 on the trot) and Shelford (which had followed the Bedford battering), which was followed by a dose of reality against a Westcombe Park team that led the league all season but who were made to work extremely hard for their win. Then there was the in-game turnaround against Sudbury and the mass swingometer against Bedford as the team put on a great show, but the tension was always there as each game was won by very fine margins. The Civil Service game was the nadir, and could have been the point at which the team started to believe the league position told the whole truth, but instead it was the launch pad for the roller coaster highs of the home win against Tring, the huge tight away win against Westcombe Park, and then the demolition of Sidcup. Sidcup would have been the perfect denouement, but there were more games to play.

Whilst the excitable crowd hoped it would be another chapter like the Sidcup game, instead they got an efficient performance that did what it needed to do. The excruciating tension of the previous games had given way to a lot of solid defence and just enough sparks to get the tries to keep Herford clear of the hard working but already relegated Medway.

Instead the Club had its opportunity to shine off the pitch, as hundreds gathered for the fabulous annual Ladies' Day and there was no short supply of entertainment, very late into the evening, in the clubhouse! It was also an opportunity for the Hertford team that won at Twickenham in 2003 to have their 20 year reunion, and they tried to impress upon the current 1st XV through port & cabbage, pernod shakers and other means, that what you do on the pitch, in the changing room, and at the bar creates bonds that last forever: "Rugby".

As for the game, Hertford started well playing down the slope and pinning Medway into their half and then into their 22. After a powerful run from Banna and a decent rolling maul, Johal was able to spin off to score in the corner. 7-0 to Hertford.

Hertford pulled together some further attacks, with Gilchrist in particular breaking through tackles and causing real difficulties.

Lemon then made another of his mazy runs down the wing from half way, with limbs and tongue flaying in different directions, he broke away from several players before cutting back inside for try line. He hurdled and was eventually hauled down centimetres from the line, and Jones - who has finished off several good tries this season - was on hand to do a quick pick and go to score. 12-0.

The remaining 20 minutes of the first half was almost all defence for Hertford, as Medway battered away relentlessly and Hertford barely touched the ball. Fry chopped and Captain Corcoran fired into the Medway attackers, as they both returned to the back row after injury. Basra was also there, relishing the defensive work. Hertford were on the back foot but looked in control.

At half time it was all change on and off the pitch.

The second period saw Hertford use their bench with the introduction of Bellringer in the front row, Hale at 9 and Harry Barker fresh from Police Academy trying his hand with the big boys in the back row.

The useful Medway pack were trying to exert authority on the game but never really troubled the solid home defence until they scored to make it 12-7.

This could have got the heart racing, but Hertford also struggled to break down the Medway wall as the parties became entrenched. The game was in danger if fizzling out until Hertford's winger Sorce summoned his considerable pase and Gallic flair to produce Hertford's only try of the second half.

A festival of rugby it was not, but the job was done.

The goal this season was not just survival but also to put in place the foundations on which to build a new squad.

All those involved agree that this has been done but also realise there is a long way to go.

The last league game this week will be a tough one as we entertain Colchester who can still finish second place in the league, but cannot get promoted given the congested funnelling of the new league structure.

The usual Hertford scribblers are free-lancing for another Hertford team this weekend, so we look forward to hearing someone else's view from the balcony.

Whilst the league season may have finished in a reassuringly mundane way, the RFU has devised a new bolt on 'glitzy' Cup competition sponsored by Papa Johns pizzas. Hertford play: Brighton at home on 1 April (they were in Hertford's league last year); Civil Service away on 15 April (we have battled the blob many times); and Weston-Super-Mare at home on 22 April (we haven’t played them since the National League days of the 2000s, but sadly we don’t get to see if the 1p a drink place is still open as they are coming to us).

Team: Josh Hewitt, Steff Jones, Christy Basra, Chris Joannou, Sonny Swift, Josh Corcoran ©, Tremaine Fry, Alex Banna; Dom Merrett, Harry Holman, Matisse Source, Harry Cavlan, Ben Gilchrist, Arun Johal, Kyle Lemon. Craig Bellringer, Harry Barker, David Hale.

Tries: Johal, Jones, Source

Conversions: Lemon 2

Man of the match: Tremaine

Author Anne Udderwin