When Devon scrum half Matt Newman (Plymouth Albion) got over the line following a forward drive from the first line out of the game to given them a 5 point lead after just two minutes, it looked as though there was going to be a repeat of last year's game, when they scored four times from driving mauls. However this year the Herts pack was much more competitive and they took the game to Devon to such an extent that they probably had the best of the first half. The back row of Archer, Rainbow and Hardcastle were outstanding taking the lead in counter attack and winning a number of turnovers. The Herts scrummage was rock solid and in the first half the lines out were pretty even.

After the early set back, Herts took the game to Devon and after 10 minutes were rewarded with a 5-metre penalty and then one on the 22 both of which, flanker Chris Rainbow (Newbury) kicked. The home midfield defence was solid when Devon attempted attacks and the home line was only threatened a couple of time. When on the half hour Rainbow added his third penalty from 30 metres from a ruck offence, Herts were leading 9-5. Then Devon ran the ball out of defence and took play into the home 22. A forward drive then put wing Paul Scheres (Barnstable) over the line for a try that Ricky van Eyk (Plymouth Albion) converted, so at the half time whistle Devon were 12-9 ahead.

Just before half time Herts hooker Tavita Faamausili (Stevenage Town) had been sin binned and Herts continued to play one short for the first five minutes or so of the second half. During this period the game began to turn. Early in the second half Herts had two attacking lines outs near the Devon line, but lost them both, and Devon also pushed the 7-man Herts pack. On their first foray into the Herts 22 Devon had a stroke of luck when they charged down Schmidt's clearance kick and van Eyk made good use on the kind bounce and was over for the try, which he converted.

Herts didn't give up and soon Crompton had an opportunity to show his pace, but the attack faltered. At this stage Herts gave Devon some possession from poor kicking from hand and Devon soon got into an attacking position from which they won another penalty that van Eyk kicked. By now rain had started falling heavily and the great effort from Herts was beginning to falter. On the half hour another line out drive and subsequent maul won ball for van Eyk to score another try. Then shortly before the end, Herts lost another line out and gave B J Chapman (Cornish All Blacks) the opportunity to cross the line in the corner for Devon's final score.

The final score of 32 9 certainly flattered Devon somewhat and does not give due credit to Hertfordshire's performance.

Next Saturday Hertfordshire must beat Middlesex in order to remain in the top group of the County Championship and compete again for the Bill Beaumont Cup. The match will be at Staines RFC, kick off 3.00 pm.

Hertfordshire: Jon Child (Welwyn); Handre Schmidt (Hertford), Steven Small (Hertford), Luke Sloan (Hertford), Ian Crompton (Stevenage Town); Paul Welch (Hertford), Toby Prescott (Tring); Simon Carter (Newbury), Tavita Faamausili (Stevenage Town), Neil Bamber (Stevenage Town), Adam Amos (Stevenage Town), Andy Johnson (Hertford), Ian Hardcastle (Westcombe Park), Chris Rainbow (Newbury), Dave Archer (Henley Hawks) (Capt).

Replacements: Tony Giddings (St Albans) (Carter 70 min), Giles Wallis (Tring) (Faamausili 45 min), Ben Basely (Hertford) (Amos 57 min), Peter Coke (Hertford), Gareth Lewis (Stevenage Town), Ray Adde (Hemel Hempstead), Richard Woodard (Unattached)