Hertfordshire Stags gained sweet revenge for their heavy defeat at the hands of Essex last season, scoring nine tries at Old Verulamian on Sunday to beat Essex 55-3. The home forwards, who dominated play throughout, set the pattern by winning the first scrum, a 5 metre scrum after Essex had kicked of with the wind, against the head. They proceeded to control the scrums for most of the game, winning at least two more against the head, until various replacements on both sides restored some balance.

The lines out were also controlled by the Stags, with plenty of quality possession and some good takes against the throw. In the loose the Stags forwards provided plenty of possession and the backs made the most of it with some good interpassing and plenty of pace on the wings.

Essex kicked off with the strong wind behind them, but after the Stags messed up their first drop out and conceded the initial 5 metre scrum they took the play to Essex. Second row, David Abraham (Fullerians) made to first of a number of powerful bursts through midfield and the ball was passed out to James Rea (Bishops Stortford) who sprinted in for the first try which as converted by Jack Reilly (Tabard). An Essex attack as thwarted by a line out take against the throw and in the 12th minute Rea scored again after the Stags had run the ball out of their 22. Reilly added the conversion. The home side was now well on top and despite their benefit of the strong wind Essex were under pressure. After getting close twice, a break by centre Grant Farrow (Bishop's Stortford) set up a good position and from the ruck, prop Matt Bone Fullerians) trundled over the line from 10 metres out to score. After 34 minutes another Abraham burst set up good ball and Johan Rheeder (Fullerians) ran in a try from 40 metres, Reilly adding the conversion. Just before half time Essex fly half, Kit Branch (Westcliff) dropped a goal, but the half ended with the Stags once again on the attack.

Hertfordshire started the second half rather loosely, Essex's half time replacements improved their scrummaging and the game took some time to settle. However after 15 minutes Farrow scored twice within 5 minutes, the first from broken play and the second after Rheeder had joined the line and made a telling break. Reilly converted the former try and the Stags led 38-3. The Stags were now in total control once more and it was not long before No 8 Cairan McNicholas scored from a 5 metre scrum. After 30 minutes Farrow completed his hat trick with a try under the posts which replacement fly half Jonathan Luck (Welwyn) converted to bring up the half century. The just before the final whistle, a forward drive put centre Farrow over for his fourth try and Hertfordshire had won 55-3.

This high scoring win will give the Stags a great boost for their final pool game against Eastern Counties at Letchworth on Sunday, February 27th.

Hertfordshire: Johan Rheeder (Fullerians); Greg Bezzer (Fullerians), Grant Farrow (Bishop's Stortford), Tim Gray (Letchworth) (Capt), James Rea (Bishop's Stortford); Jack Reilly (Tabard), Callum Bryce (Letchworth); Matt Bone (Fullerians), Paul Dunlop (Watford), John Bryant (Tring), David Abraham (Fullerians/Quins), Robin French (Letchworth), Ollie Miller (St Albans), Dan Saunders (Cheshunt), Cairan McNicholas (Letchworth).

Replacements: Kenneth Carroll (Cheshunt) (Bone 49m), Michael Cowdery (Cheshunt) (Bryant 68m), William Freestone (Welwyn) (Saunders 52m), Jonathan Luck (Welwyn) (Reilly 64m), Steve Vidler (Datchworth) (Gray 68m), Tom Kiely (Watford) (Rheeder 68m), Ben Ofori (Welwyn) (Bezzer 61m).