On a sunny but fresh Spring morning, parents discussed whether they had ever been to Welwyn for a game before.

Hertford seemed surprisingly switched on and this was proved correct right from the off. Aaron caught the kick off on the edge of our own 22 on the left. As he picked up pace Welwyn/OVs fell off tackles and as he reached their 10 meter line, he was free and clear. Under a minute gone and he was under the posts making the conversion straight forward for Sonny. 0 - 7 Hertford.

Straight from the kick off Aston gathered a grubbered kick off, inside his own 22. Aston challenged tacklers to step up, but they were unable to hold him and he scored under the posts. A conversion by Aaron and Hertford were 14 - 0 up with less than 5 mins gone.

What had happened to Hertford’s customary slow start? Happily out of character!

From the restart Welwyn/OVs woke up and we’re much more lively, pressurising Hertford and sustaining pressure for 5 minutes. Strong midfield Hertford tackling from Will and Sam P held them off. Hertford turned over ball at the ruck and moved the ball along the line to Sam F. Slow support, a feature of the game early on, from Hertford lead to an OV turnover. Good ruck pressure through Luca, Brem and Ollie, forced a poor clearing kick to be tipped. Sam P caught the ball in the midfield in their 22, made an outside break to the right and fed Regan, who powered round the defence to dot down. The conversion from Aaron hit post. 19 - 0 to Hertford with 12 mins gone.

Again, post restart OV/Welwyn applied pressure. A short period of tit for tat pressure and handling errors saw Hertford get some ball around half way. The ball ended up in Regan’s hands. An impressive, strong and mazey run lead to a run in but, in trying to make the conversion easier, Regan saw the ball ripped from his hands over the line. Lessons learned, Hertford moved on.

A period of ill discipline from Hertford, including being marched back 10 by a somewhat pedantic referee, gave OVs/Welwyn some field position for an attack. But good defence lead to a Hertford line out. A line break from Max at first receiver, stepping inside the dog leg in the defensive line, lead to a a break by Regan. At the ruck Welwyn we’re off feet and a series of penalties gave Hertford field position and a line out in the OV/Welwyn 22. Unfortunately some white line fever from the forwards and failure to transfer the ball to the back of the line out mall, gave away a penalty.

A period of scrappy play between the 22s followed with no real dominance although Hertford’s speed to the ruck was much improved lead by Fraser. A dangerous near interception from Welwyn/OV warned Hertford not to relax.

With seconds to go in the first half, a break from Welwyn from a dominant scrum, lead to a break down the left. A great tackle from Aston stopped them and saw out the first half. 0 -19 Hertford.

The second half stated the same as the first. Aston caught the kick off just inside his own 22 and went on a mazy run, evading tackles to score under the posts, eschewing his hand in the air celebration. The the tee truck came on again and Aaron converted. 1 min gone, 0 - 26.

OVs/Welwyn, stung by this, roared back with strong running from their impressive 12 and aggressive 6. Hertford’s defence was impressive holding out. Ruck pressure from Brem, Louis and Sonny lead to some rushed distribution. Back line pressure lead to a near intercept from Max, but then Hagen did intercept and ran in down the left avoiding tackles to score. At this point your correspond has a difference of opinion, but I believe Aaron landed the kick for 0 - 33, 10 mins gone in the second.

From the kick off OVs/Welwyn applied pressure on the Hertford line. Again, excellent defence from Sam P, Will and Rafa again hammering in tackles off the bench. Resulting in a penalty to Hertford and a relieving kick.

A period of scrappy play from both sides and use of the mouth, rather than brain, by Hertford, meant penalties against them and some loss of control from Hertford. Then 2 or 3 well contested scrums, lead to Aaron picking up from the base on half way, broke tackles and again going in under the posts. Benji converted for 0 - 40

From the kick off there was some ebb and flow between the 22s. Strong forward play from both sides, resulting in flash point, from a suspected high Hertford forearm. Discipline was maintained, a credit to both sides as the game was played in a great sprit.

The game finished with some great handling from Hertford down the back line, with strong running. The game ended with Benji feeding Max who made a break in the dog leg defence again, but the move broke down to see out time.

Excellent result for Hertford with all players making strong contributions, and keeping their line intact. 0 - 40. Thanks coaches. There is a real team here, vocal, organised and committed, with not a little skill.