This was the first ever encounter between two Hertfordshire sides at this level, which raised the stakes even higher in this big local derby. Stortford established a clear edge in the first quarter, but failed to impose their game on a battling OAs side and ended by blowing a multiple overlap, knocking on right on the OAs line. The visitors seldom looked like breaking down a strong home defence, but Stortford, once again proved to be generous hosts in an error-ridden second 20 minutes. The period started well for the home side, with Nick Hankin scoring an excellent solo try. Starting from a standing position, the winger handed off the first potential tackler, then used his pace to outsprint the cover defence to touch down out wide for an unconverted try. Things quickly changed, though, when a knock-on after the restart kick had been safely taken gifted a turnover, the error being compounded by some weak tackling, which allowed OAs' No 12, Dan Watt to scoot under the posts for a try. His own conversion took his side into the lead, which was soon extended with another converted try after only 2 minutes. This was the product of even greater generosity from the home side, as a penalty kick first failed to find touch, followed by a weak chase and then capped off with a loose slap back of a poor OAs chip kick. This fell to a visiting player, who needed only one pass to set winger, Joe Bridger clear for a try from some 50 yards out. Stortford did then mount another convincing attack, but staunch OAs defence held them out and, eventually the home side settled for three points from Matt Riddington's boot from one of several penalties conceded by the visitors at set scrums.

The second half started with Stortford in similarly error-prone mode to the first period, but Dan Elsom, on at the break into the backrow made an immediate impact with some bone-shaking tackles and turnovers - clearly relishing his return from a lengthy injury lay-off. Building from this, Stortford mounted a series of attacks and, after 14 minutes, finally made the breakthrough. An initial driving maul from a lineout well into the OAs' 22 was halted illegally and prop, Taylor Reed was sin-binned. Another penalty to touch and a second driving maul was enough to see Dec Caulfield over for a try. Riddington's conversion attempt went wide, leaving his side one point behind. There then followed a bit of a hiatus, as OAs opted to go for unopposed scrums, with a starting prop, supposedly replaced in the first half as a tactical change, apparently having picked up an injury in the meantime. This took away a strong weapon from Stortford's armoury for the next several minutes and they proved unable to take advantage of the resultant 2 man advantage. With Reed's return, though, the home side was able to re-establish its dominance at the scrums and, with the lineout now also functioning better, Stortford could exert more pressure. After 72 minutes, a storming drive from Caulfield took him almost to the opposition line, but the momentum was not wasted, as Seb Brownhill capped a happy return to Stortford colours by crashing over from the resultant ruck. The conversion attempt again flew wide. Stortford looked briefly as if they might snatch a bonus point try, but the chance went begging, when the referee was upended and had no choice but to call play back for a distant penalty to the home side. This came to nought and a period of OAs pressure had to be withstood with only a four point lead to protect, but with the error count now much reduced and the tackles more decisive, there was no serious threat to the Stortford line and time was safely played out.

Our thanks go to Matchday Sponsors, Radleys and to Man of The Match sponsor, Harlow Agricultural Merchants (HAM) for their support at this crucial, if far from pretty victory.