HML Division 1 Winners BUT No Cup Double....

After a great first season in Division 1, a slightly disappointing last match / scoreline vs Old Albanians, who were more physical and stronger across the board today, (than when we met in the league during February). They were worthy winners of the U14's County Cup, over a hard working but slightly rusty looking BSRFC squad of 20, some of whom had not managed to all play together, in a competitive 50 minute match, since our HERTS Semi-Final win over Harpenden before Easter.

Well done to Old A's boys and Neil Murphy / his coaching team, on the day, like to think we've spurred them on this season - Honours now even !

They took full advantage of the wind behind there backs in first half, mixed up plays well, with some better work than us at the breakdown and pressed hard, so our backs were often struggling to get any space or over the gain-line today. With the vast majority of time spent in our half, inevitably the dam broke after about 15 minutes and while a couple of decisions / bounces went there way, four tries and three conversions saw them effectively starting to close the game out, by half time, despite our boys tireless efforts.

With the change-over we rotated in our 5 subs and tried to freshen things up, with the wind now supposedly helping us but the pattern remained, we battled hard but to no avail as there defence held strong. Some further missed or tired tackles crept in and they added a couple of un-converted tries, missed a tough penalty kick, to our only try from Adam Oakey, who's solo effort was a very welcome tonic, out at the corner flag.

Despite the day's result, some real progress made this season, stepping-up from U13's, (as with our B's gaining promotion into Division 4 this term). A well earned rest now on the horizon, plenty to build / work on, in pre-season and looking forward to the challenges of U15's rugby, playing some new teams like Bedford, Reeds and Bury St Edmunds, from next September.