This Saturday we host TUNBRIDGE WELLS in the last fixture of the season in London & SE Premier league. Having lost the opening game of the season away to Tunbridge Wells, we hope to return the compliment today! Last weekend saw us go down 31-39 to 3rd placed Wimbledon despite a very strong start by our lads. Wimbledon are a good side and the fixture was a must win for them as they push for 1st place or at least to secure a place in the play-off. Hertford are assured of a 5th place finish. Check out the League Table and Team Selection in the 1st XV Team Page: https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/hertfordrugbyfootballclub/teams/186718/league-table

Unfortunately the 2nd team match has been cancelled as Richmond RFC 2s pulled out. Last weekend saw a thrilling 36-34 win over top placed Bournemouth. The 3rd XV don’t have a fixture. Last Saturday their season ended in disappointment when Harpenden 2nds pulled out of the fixture because Harpenden wanted to rest both their 1st and 2nd teams due an important 1st team match today (no comment!!). Sadly this is typical of the challenges being faced. The Termites are away to Cuffley for their Cup semi-final. Good luck lads!

Ged Murphy has reluctantly had to step down as Director of Club Rugby due to work commitments. Ged has made an immeasurable contribution to the club and is very sorry that he is unable to continue in this role. Fortunately he will still be around supporting the club as usual and I am sure I can tap up our “old sage of rugby” when needed. We are hoping to announce Ged’s replacement shortly.

Paul Chesterman is stepping down as first team manager after serving the team for several seasons. I don’t think many people appreciate the amount of work Chesty does behind the scenes. We are incredibly grateful for his dedication to the club. We are currently seeking a 1st team administrator to take over some of Chesty’s roles. If you are interested or need more information, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Don’t forget Volunteers Day Saturday 27th April. We need as many people as possible to help out with various maintenance jobs around the club. We would like the grounds to look as good as possible as we host the Youth County Finals on Sunday 28th April and the Hertfordshire v Gloucestershire senior county game on Saturday 18th May. Many hands make light work so please don’t assume some-one else will do it and sign up with Karen Newbury today!

I have been made aware of rumours that the under-spend on the 1st team player budget is going towards the costs of the main pitch improvements planned for this summer. THIS IS NOT CORRECT! The players’ budget is set on the assumption that the best players will play every game. However, this of course never happens and the savings are carried over to the next season. I assure members that ALL of the money donated by the Patrons Club is ONLY used for the payment of 1st XV players. The RFU have capped salaries for level 5 at £65,000. Money raised by corporate sponsorship, supporter lunches, gate money etc goes towards the team expenses including the coaching staff, players wages, kit and travel. Money from club subscriptions and other club income does NOT get spent on the 1st team expenses, which are completely ring fenced as shown in the club accounts.

I have also heard it said that the club does not have ambition for the 1st team to be promoted. THIS IS ALSO NOT CORRECT! I confirm 100% that the club’s management believe that we should be a National 2 league club and will do all we can to achieve that goal in a sensible and sustainable way whilst maintaining club unity and developing home grown talent.

As previously mentioned we are planning improvements to the main pitch this summer. The 4 floodlight posts on the clubhouse side have been condemned and therefore need to be replaced. The fencing on the far side is rotten and needs replacing. The small stand needs to be higher to be more user-friendly and the camera stand above it needs to be smarter. Therefore we will take the opportunity to move the fence and small stand back in line with the floodlight posts. This will give us the opportunity to increase the width of the pitch from 66m to 68m in line with World Rugby guidelines. We will put a small patio along the front of the clubhouse which will create more space and relieve congestion on match days and Sundays. The main cost will be the new floodlights which has to be done, so the actual cost of moving the pitch itself will be relatively inexpensive. The cost of this project will be covered by central funds. If you have any questions about this project, please contact Peter King, Dave Baseley or myself.

Just a reminder that Kit Burgess’s funeral is on Thursday 18th April at St Peter’s Church, Bennington at 12.15 and then afterwards at the rugby club.

Finally, congratulations to Stuart and Becky Smart on the birth of their son this week. A future Hertford 1st XV player like his Dad we hope!

I hope to see you on Saturday for the Tunbridge game.