STRONG PERFORMANCE BUT NO REWARD AT HERTFORD

Driving rain may have made conditions difficult at Hertford this morning but the U15B's produced a defensive display to be proud of. Stortford made a strong start with good periods of possession but more noticeably very strong defense holding back waves of Hertford attack before the opposition were finally able to break free after an interception in the middle of the pitch resulted in their opening score on eleven minutes which was duly converted. Another period of good rugby from two evenly matched teams ensued with great attacking runs from Matt, Dillon, Jacob and George and strong defensive play from Murray, Sam, Dylan and Luca making brilliant tackles to stop more breakaway runs from Hertford. Once again though a few handling errors cost us dearly and Hertford were able to stretch their lead on twenty-three minutes pushing their way over the line to take the score to 14-0. The Stortford response was very positive and we were unlucky not to get a score on the board before the half-time whistle blew.

With a squad of twenty-six players, Hertford were able to refresh their pack for the second half but our lads dug deep and dominated in the scrum against a bigger, heavier pack, Murray in particular giving it his all against an opposition prop twice his size. Three more unanswered tries from Hertford in the second-half flattered the opposition in what was a very competitive and well fought game of rugby. Starts and strong full sixty minute performances from Murray, Ayo and Sam demonstrate how Rob's Wednesday night fitness beastings are paying dividends and on a different day the scoreline could have been very different.

Despite the scoreline the lads walked off of the pitch with heads held high, knowing full well that they had their best individual and team performance for a while against a strong opposition squad. In the post-match social Matt F was justly nominated as our star player but it could easily have gone to any number of lads today. Coaches special mention has to go to Sam for a great full match performance, great tackles and strong rucking demonstrating how well deserved his starting place in the squad was.

Well done boys from very wet but very proud coaches and parents!