Close to a year to the day since the boys last tasted defeat and against an opposition who’ve never caused Hertford any concern, defeat came again. An agonising, as-close-as-they come defeat. The kind which hurts and which hopefully the boys will have an opportunity to avenge in the cup final at the end of the season.

It was a game of contrasting styles: Hertford’s Barbarian, run the ball from everywhere versus Fullerians’ more structured, go through the phases. One helter-skelter, the other more like something we’re used to watching on the telly.

Hertford scored early, after pressure from the forwards through the middle before the ball was moved wide to Tom B who ghosted in to touch down in the left hand corner. Fullerians responded not long after, with their forwards pushing over from a five metre penalty. 5-7.

The scoreboard then swung back in Hertford’s favour with Eddie crashing through from close range to score in the same corner Tom got the first. 10-7. Hertford at this point were not only winning the possession game but also the territory. And from a clearing kick from Fullerians’ fly half, Hertford scored their third try of the day. Tom B collected the kick on the halfway line and set off on a run which was emulated a few hours later by the Kansas City Chiefs’ Kadarius Toney (indulge me, readers!). But unlike Toney’s punt return, which sealed the Superbowl for the Chiefs (an amazing game, Olly), Tom’s run led to a try but not a winning result. Tackled a few metres short, Bobby, as loud, enthusiastic and energetic as ever moved the ball to James who scored in (you guessed it) the left hand corner. 15-7.

Before half time, one more try came. Another pick and go from a five metre penalty for Fullerians and with the conversion kicked the score at the turn was 15-14.

Play in the second half started with another converted try for Fullerians with Hertford dropping the ball behind their own goal line and Fullerians being the first to jump on it. 15-21. It was that kind of game. Silly mistakes letting Fullerians stay in the game despite Hertford being the dominant team.

The dominant team, but hats off to Fullerians’ organisation. A scrum and lineout unlike anything we’ve faced, which allowed them to keep the
pressure on Hertford. But more helter-skelter running and passing led to Eddie going over for his second try of the day. And again it was in the left hand corner, leaving Tom R with another horrible kick for goal. 20-21.

With the clock ticking down, Hertford attacked and did what we probably didn’t do enough of, attacking out wide through the backs. The ball on this occasion went to the right and Sam, a last minute addition to the side (the call was made with minutes to go before kick-off), smashing through his opposite number to score in the right hand corner. Another horrible kick for Tom and this time it bounced off the upright. 25-21

The drama wasn’t over. Fullerians came back to score from yet another five metre penalty to make the score 26-25. And with minutes to play, Hertford marched up to within a few metres of Fullerians try line before turning the ball over. Another holding on penalty. Ball kicked out from the restart and that was it, defeat by a point. 25-26

A horrible result but an experience everyone will learn from. Credit to Sam, Regan, Hagan, Louis and Jensen who stepped up at late notice and played with courage and commitment.

Next up Ampthill.