Herts A had an exciting one point win over Middlesex County Clubs at Old Albanian RFC on Wednesday, 20th February. Looking to be comfortable winners 19-5 ahead midway through the second half, the home side had to withstand a strong Middlesex rally, in which the visitors scored 13 points in the space of 6 minutes, to hold on for a narrow win.

Herts had much the better of the first half territorially, but they failed to capitalise on that and at half time the teams were level at 5 points all. The first ten minutes or so of the half had not gone well for the home side. Firstly their skipper Ed Orchard (Tabard) sustained a serous shoulder injury in the fourth minute. Then 10 minutes into the game Middlesex hooker, Richard Elvery (Datchworth) drove over from a line out for the opening score. The Herts forwards took the game to the visitors and gained territorial advantage and a good supply of ball. However the Middlesex defence was sound and it was not until the 24th Minute that Herts finally got the break through. Herts capitalised on a poor Middlesex clearance, ran the ball back and Tom Newton (Tring) made a break to enable left wing Greg Bezzer (Fullerians) to score in the corner. Herts continued to press for the rest of the half but the sides remained tied at half time.

Middlesex took the early second half initiative, but soon lost a player - yellow carded for killing the ball. 8 minutes later a second visitor was carded and Herts took immediate advantage of the two-man advantage, when John Sayers (St Albans) drove over from a line out to touch down. Gavin Donald (Letchworth) added the conversion. Immediately from the kick off Herts won turnover ball and spun the ball to Bezzer on the half way line. He took his chance well, beating three men in his sprint for the line. Donald again added two point and Herts looked comfortable at 19-5 up.

Middlesex had other ideas and when they had a line out 5 metres out they took advantage of some sloppy Herts play for Elvery to get his second touch down. Another try came minutes later when Herts lost the ball on the half way line and right wing Luke Mitchell (Twickenham) sprinted over. Herts appeared to lose their composure and there was a lack of control in defence. Another Middlesex attack resulted in a penalty, which David Earle (Finchley) kicked and with 8 minutes to go there visitors were only one point behind. Some frenetic play followed. Middlesex missed drop goal attempt. Herts tried running out of defence rather than kicking. But in the end there was no further score.

Hertfordshire: Tom Newton (Tring); Ed Coy (St Albans), Ross Willoughby (Hemel Hempstead), Ed Orchard (Tabard) (Capt), Greg Bezzer (Fullerians); Gavin Donald (Letchworth), Neil Fischer (Tring); Ryan Long (Tabard), Mike Green (Hemel Hempstead), Matt Gibbs (Hemel Hempstead), Chris Buckland (Old Ashmoleans), Rob Penny (Stevenage Town), George Jackson (Hemel Hempstead), Craig Bailey (Hemel Hempstead), Tom Mowbray (Tring).

Replacements: Jon Child (Welwyn) (Orchard 4m), Michael Thomas (Tabard) (Coy 40m), Gareth Lewis (Stevenage Town) (Newton 40m), Ian Reid (Datchworth) (Willoughby 40m), John Sayers (St Albans) (Jackson 40m), Giles Wallis (Tring) (Green 40m), Arthur Jefferies (Hemel Hempstead) (Long 40m)