The Hertfordshire A XV demolished all Middlesex resistance in the first half of their match at Old Albanian RFC on Wednesday evening, 7th February, taking a 45-nil lead at half time. The Middlesex County Clubs XV rallied somewhat in the second half, but the home side still ran out winners 64-5.

Despite the usual number of late changes to the original selection, the Hertfordshire side gelled quickly. Many of the players have played together in this series of A XV matches and others have been members of Hertfordshire age group sides and even the Championship squad. As a result many know each other and with the help of coach Andy Adams any newcomers are soon made comfortable in the team.

The forwards started working as a unit very quickly and this enabled the speedy backs to show their pace. In contrast the visitors took some time to settle and their handling appeared to be more affected by the bitter cold than the confident home team.

From the kick off, on a firm frosty pitch, Hertfordshire soon got in their stride and within minutes were attacking the Middlesex line. The visitors resisted the pressure for a while, before a drive from a lineout saw Giles Wallis (Tring) touch down. Richard Woodard (Luton) added the conversion to give Herts a 7-nil lead after 10 minutes. A couple of minutes later Ross Willoughby (Hemel Hempstead) showed the defenders a clean pair of heels after he had picked up a lose ball to increase the lead by 5 points. Right wing Ian Crompton (Stevenage Town) then added another try, which had been set up by a strong run from fullback Tom Smith (Tabard). Woodard added the conversion and after just 15 minutes play Herts were 19 points ahead. Before the first quarter had been completed, Jon Child (Welwyn) ran in from the half way line for another try.

Middlesex then managed their first serious visit to Hertfordshire territory and for the next 5 minutes or so they put the home side under pressure. But the defence held and Herts countered with quick handling along the line to give Willoughby space to sprint in for his second try. This was followed almost immediately by a try from Tony Giddings (St Albans)who touched down following a 5-metre scrum. Finally on the stroke of half time, Crompton chased his kick ahead to score. Woodard converted all these late tries to make the score 45-nil at half time.

Middlesex re-grouped at half time and started the second half in better fettle. They were rewarded with a 5-metre penalty, from which replacement scrum half Ben Broderick (Barnes) crossed the line. The game remained more evenly balanced for some time, but half way through the half Herts increased their lead when Gareth Lewis (Stevenage Town) finished off a move that had been started by Smith and carried on by Crompton, Woodard adding the conversion. Herts now resumed their control of the game and scored twice more, Child after the pack had won a ball against the head and Willoughby sprinting in after another break by full back Smith. Lewis converted the last try to make the final score 64-5.

Hertfordshire: Tom Smith (Tabard); Jonathan Child (Welwyn), Ross Willoughby (Hemel Hempstead), Gareth Lewis (Stevenage Town), Ian Crompton (Stevenage Town); Richard Woodard (Luton) (Capt), Sam Clapham (Tring); Sam Seward (Tring), Giles Wallis (Tring), Tony Giddings (St Albans), Carl Buckland (Old Ashmoleans), Dan Phillips (Ampthill), Darren Perry (Hemel Hempstead), Craig Bailey (Hemel Hempstead), Justin Joubert (Welwyn).

Replacements: used Neil Bamber (Stevenage Town), Marcus King (St Albans). not used Mike Green (Hemel Hempstead), Kevin Brind (Fullerians)