First round of the Hertfordshire Cup Competition - Plate

Tries Glydon, Stenhouse (2) Con Kettle

Stortford made it through with a narrow victory over last season's finalists. The two sides met at the same venue in a semi-final 11 months ago. Indeed almost every other detail of that game was replicated today - a 12-0 early lead narrowed to 12-10 at half time, an attritional second half and a dramatic finale.

Stortford's forwards dominated from kick off and although Cheshunt defended well, Glydon found the slighted gap to score. Stenhouse doubled the lead and a Kettle conversion made it a dream start. Cheshunt pegged the score back to 12-5 and continued their recovery for the rest of the half, eventually getting a deserved second score.

Taking a 12-10 lead, Stortford made a number of line-up changes after half-time. For all but the last 5 minutes, the second period was deadlocked. Cheshunt had more of the territory and Stotford just couldn't get their back line into the game. However the whole team defended superbly giving their opponents no space, especially after temporarily losing one to the sin-bin as well as Allen, Colby and Kettle to injury. The reshuffled backs incredibly made their first meaningful break of the half and won a series of line-outs deeper into the opposition half with Keene winning all of them. Great credit to the boys for making this rare chance count, Stenhouse squeezed through for what looked like the match winner. 17-10. Unfortunately for want of a kicking tee the drop conversion was missed which meant Cheshunt weren't done yet.

As predicted, they did just that and scored an unconverted try.Then with the final minute looming, Cheshunt won a succession of penalties until they were close enough to choose to kick for goal. The ref called final play and with two points in it Cheshunt took their chance from the tee. With the kick going well wide Stotford could celebrate 17-15.

Team- Arnold, Rolleston, Wilson, Chapman, Dann, White, Watt, Blomiley, Keene, Martin, Avontuur, Stenhouse, Bennet, Reader, Guy-Walters, Glydon, Kettle, Colby, Guglielmucci, Allen, Venus, Wyatt.