Great all-round performance, based on strong defence and clinical finishing, producing 7 Stortford tries, including doubles for both Nick Hankin and Sam Winter and a debut one for Rory Banks. More to follow, once special reporter,, Scoop Hankin gets his copy in!

In the meantime another great win for the Blues at Hertford, surely takes them to the brink of winning their league!

Now here comes the word from roving reporter, Bryan Hankin - got lost in front of a TV somewhere last night, but well worth waiting for!

On a cold blustery afternoon in South London and on a perfect pitch, albeit a tad narrow, that reminded this Northern Correspondent of his crown green bowling days, the travelling support and OE's faithful were treated to a fast cohesive display by the boys in red.

Having said that the first 25 minutes was more like an arm wrestle, most of which was conducted in the home sides half, with Matt Tomlinson almost Kruis and Itoje like stealing the home sides first lineout - unfortunately their second rows had seen the same training video and preceded to do the same at our next three !

The match burst into life on 25 minutes when great interplay between Steve Ball and Tom McCrone put the rejuvenated Declan Caulfield away to smash his way over the line next to the posts. Easy conversion for George Cullen 7-0.

There followed a rare excursion into the Stortford half by the home side and from a resulting lineout the ball was missed by the intended recipient but collected by the alert Garret who bundled over the line to register OE's first and only points. This looked to have galvanised the visitors and following a great touch kick from Sam Coleman Stortford started to apply the pressure, declining shots at goal, and after some great drives by the forwards the ball was spread out to the backs and as the defense scrambled across George Cullen saw a gap and took it with aplomb before converting 14-5. With halftime fast approaching Stortford maintained the pressure and following a spilled ball from the home side Baxter drove it up then great hands saw Sam Winter bundled over out wide, George knocking over a great conversion to make it 21-5 at the half.

Rory Banks replaced Tommo at half-time, slight shoulder niggle I was told in the bar afterwards, and Stortford restarted where they had left off. From the top of a lineout, now fully functioning, TC popped an inside pass to Nick Hankin coming in off the right wing and he crashed through the first tackler to run in under the posts to make it an easy conversion for George. 28- 5.

The changes were then rung with the entire front row being replaced and this correspondent was left wondering how the opposition must feel when they see Edwards,Crozier and Young coming off the bench - we really are blessed with an abundance of talent in this and every other area.

Following a break for an OE's injury the game restarted and Jimmy Rea showed all of his guile and experience to break the line and off load to the supporting Pier Dotta to cross the whitewash only for the pass to have been adjudged forward. There followed the obligatory set and reset of scrums followed by yellow cards for props Young and Liffchak - still can't work that one out I'm afraid!

The next score came when quick thinking from Sam Coleman taking a quick tap saw Rory Banks ( I think his brother played for the team) crash over in the corner on his debut for the 1st's. Unfortunately the conversion into the wind just fell short, 33-5. Mike Gallagher was last off the bench for Jimmy Rea and it wasn't long before he was involved in a 'discussion' with the opposition fullback, presumably inspired by Rocky Long!

The next try was a scrappy affai,r but following a grubber kick the loose ball was picked up by Nick Hankin who crossed the line for his second of the day, despite the close attention of his opposite number. Conversion missed 38-5. There was still time for Sean to see yellow, passing Rory and the opposition 3 on their way back, and the final score came when the ball was strung along the line and Sam dummied to Jimmy (cruel) to score his second try of the afternoon. Conversion missed and final score 43-5.

In summary, 7 da 'de da's to 1, a fantastic cohesive performance from Stortford and we have again showed what a great squad we have and also what fantastic support we get on the road - we must be the best supported team on the road in this league.