Hertford U18 Academy v Cheshunt U18's

Despite the age gap between the teams and key players rested following a school tour to Canada and County commitments, it was Cheshunt that were left thinking 'what might have been', having been the better side for the best part of the game.

Cheshunt went down early to a three-point penalty for not releasing the tackled player, following a solid crash ball move by the Hertford inside centre. It was another move through the centres which led to Hertford’s first try; it was a simple play but it was well taken and it suited the heavy conditions.

Cheshunt’s midfield defence was much improved after that and Hertford were unable to get through, resorting largely to a kick-chase game. It was however Cheshunt’s dominance at the scrum and line-out which was dictating the game and it wasn’t long before Cheshunt scored their first try through fly-half, Scott (Mr Dynamite) Glynn who took a superb line on to a short pop-pass from scrum-half Daniel (the Jester) Cansick from 20 metres out.

Cheshunt went into half time 10-10 after a further try this time from Alex (Spanish Archer) Brown from close range; the hard work was done by back-row, Mike (Beef) Henderson, who showed plenty of beef in single handedly wrecking the Hertford ruck to secure a penalty just outside the 22. Cheshunt kicked to the corner and from the line-out Sean (the Crimson Chin) Chinn was able to bamboozle the Hertford jumpers to allow Alex to take a short ball and charge down the five-metre channel. No one was going to stop him from there and he smashed straight through the cover defence – a great score.

Cheshunt began the second half as they finished the first although as the half wore on found it a little harder to break down a much improved Hertford defence and were turned over a number of times at the breakdown. Early in the half however the hard work was rewarded, forcing a score from a scrum just outside the Hertford 22. Daniel (the Jester) Cansick broke blind and fed winger Adam Chessis who had held his depth well. Adam managed to get around his winger but was caught by the full-back.

The Cheshunt back-row was first to the breakdown and the quick ruck-ball which followed allowed Captain Tom (Coops) Cooper to pick up and drive through for a try. Cheshunt had to make several key changes following injuries to prop, Brad (the Back) Hogan and centre, Will (Nightmare) Payne, and this disrupted things for a while but before long Scott (Mr Dynamite) Glynn scored another try off a lovely ‘show and go’ move from scrum-half Daniel (the Jester) Cansick, off the back of a scrum just outside the Hertford 22m.

Scott was able to convert that one but it wasn’t enough to finish off the game and it was one or two lapses in concentration which allowed Hertford to get back into the game with two scores. The first of these came from a kick through from within Hertford’s own half which landed just outside the Cheshunt 22.

The Cheshunt full-back failed to beat the chasing Hertford players and this gifted Hertford turnover from which they were able to score. The second came from another kick-through where upon Cheshunt found themselves with ‘nobody at home’ allowing Hertford an easy run-in under the posts.

Whilst Cheshunt was able to out-score the opposition in terms of tries the game ultimately came down to kicking, Hertford returning all but one of their kicks and Cheshunt making only two. It was however a good game, hard fought, well refereed and played in the right competitive spirit; well done to both teams.

There were notably exceptional performances from centre Alex (little toe) Wistow, whose tackling was awesome; Hooker Jack (Jack Jack) Berry and full-back Tom (Tap Tap) Timotheou who both fielded Hertford’s kicks superbly; and, still showing us why pound for pound he’s the best prop in youth rugby, Sonny (the Don) Borzellino, whose work rate around the pitch, tackling and ruckin made him an easy choice for man of the match.

Dave Mulholland