HSBC EMERGING SCHOOLS HERTFORDHSIRE COUNTY FINALS 
Friday 13^th March 2009 
 
15 schools were represented at the finals of the Hertfordshire HSBC Emerging Schools Finals held at the superb facilities of St Albans School on Friday 13^th March. In total there were 20 teams and 292 players aged between 11 and 14 playing for the right to represent Hertfordshire in the Regional Finals of this national competition which culminates with a final at Twickenham. 

Rob Hardwick, Chairman of Youth Rugby in Hertforshire was impressed with the standard of rugby which was very high this year. Rob commented that it was an endorsement of the huge effort put in by PE staff and Hertfordshire Community Rugby team over the last few years to raise standards at emerging rugby playing schools. 

In the end, the winners in each category were as follows: 

• Year 7 Shield: Winners – Sandringham, St Albans.

• Year 7 Trophy Winners – St Clement Dane, Chorleywood.

• Year 8 Shield Winners – Sheredes, Hoddesdon.

• Year 9 Trophy Winners – Nicholas Breakspear, St Albans.

• Year 9 Shield Winners – St Michaels, Watford.

With the emphasis on development of rugby in schools, the refereeing duties were undertaken by 6^th form students from Richard Hale school who performed superbly.