Bishop’s Stortford Under 13 A's back to winning ways in the Saracen’s Herts and Middlesex Junior League

The Blues were on top from the start. In watery sunshine, Max Venville caught the kick off ball and charged deep into Harpenden’s 22. Strong forward play from William Heywood put the Harpenden backline under pressure, forcing them to kick for touch from behind their own try line. The subsequent line out was straight off the training pitch. Sam Richardson delivered an accurate throw to Harry Belton at the front of the line, who muscled past the Harpenden hooker to score in the corner.

Stortford’s second try again started with a set play. Winning a scrum against the head allowed scrum half Jake Gleed to release Joe Radley who moved the ball down the line . Excellent play by Ollie Stevenson caused a level of disruption and confusion making space for Ioan Parry to cut in and score under the posts. Scott Mitchell duly converted to take the score to 0 – 12.

The middle of the half was dominated by a battle between both sets of forwards. Strong tackling by Louis Henchie helped keep Harpenden at bay until the home side finally got a foothold in the game by scoring from the wing and converting to make it 7 – 12.
Stortford soon restored a cushion of a lead. Wing Max Potts went close in the corner forcing a scrum. The front 8 were solid, releasing Ioan Parry to score his second. Half time Harpenden 7, Bishops Stortford 17.

The Blues refreshed their line up at half time bringing on 4 players including Louis Winfield, Josh Walker and David Townsend. This immediately paid off with Stortford winning a penalty deep in Harpenden territory. Bishop’s Stortford coaches were left beaming when another training ground move paid dividends. From the penalty, Max Venville took the ball into contact supported by the two Adams, Mehmet and Millard who cleared out the opposition to allow Harry Belton to take advantage of the space and score his second. The subsequent conversion took the score to 7 – 24.

The home side came on strong from the kick off, adopting a tactic of kicking for ground. However excellent handling and running from full back Freddie Barnet maintained Stortford’s dominance.

The Blues next score was a real team try. Stortford won another scrum against the head with number 8 Matthew Precious expertly controlling the ball enabling scrum half Rhys Williams to give fly half Scott Mitchell the quick ball he needed to release his centers. Space seemed to effortlessly open up in front of Ioan Parry, allowing him to touch down in the corner for his hat trick.

Not to be out done Harry Belton scored his third try soon after. Seizing on a fly hacked ball he showed a turn of speed that sent him over the line.

Despite conceding a last play, converted try the Blues were delighted to secure a bonus point win. Final score 14 – 34