Hertfordshire completed their RFU County Shield season on a high note defeating Oxfordshire 42-3 at Old Albanian RFC on Saturday. Despite scoring six converted tries to a solitary penalty, this was not enough to overhaul Cornwall, who topped the group on points difference, so Hertfordshire ended in second place and will rue the missed opportunities in their opening match against Eastern Counties.

Despite a number of enforced changes, the Hertfordshire pack, led by their outstanding back row, once again took control of the proceedings. The scrummage had a bit of trouble early on where Oxfordshire were able to wheel and disrupt the Herts ball, but that lessened as the game went on. The line out went well for the home side, despite the odd throw in going astray in the strong wind. However it was in the loose that Herts dominated the game. The back row was quicker to the break down and foraged for the ball well, winning good turnover ball. And when defence was required, the visitors could not cross the home line.

The backs ran every available ball, as if conscious of trying to make up the points difference on Cornwall, but early in the game, when dominance had not been gained, this resulted in some frenetic play and a number of mistakes. However in the second half they got their reward with three well-worked tries. Acting skipper Richard Gregg (Old Albanian) was in fine kicking form, both tactically and at goal, where he converted all six tries, using the tricky wind well.

Heavy rain before the match and a strong blustery wind made a stark contrast to the heat wave of last week and Oxfordshire's kick off went straight into touch. Herts used the advantage set set up an attacking position and soon won a lineout against the throw. But some over anxious play resulted in relieving penalties for the visitors and there was not real pattern to the play for the first 10 minutes or so. After about 15 minutes Oxfordshire had a good opportunity to take the lead following a rare Herts missed tackle, but lost the chance with a knock on.

Ray Adde (Hemel Hempstead) and Ian Crompton (Stevenage Town) then combined in a good movement to take play deep into visiting territory. Although Herts could not make a break through running the ball, a few moments later the ball came loose from a defending scrum and Brent Lemiere (St Albans) grabbed the ball and bustled over for the opening try. Shortly after the restart, Herts were penalised some 40 metres from their line and Oxfordshire fly half Alex Steventon kicked a fine penalty.

Herts scrumhalf Ryan de la Harpe (Letchworth) then broke from well within his half, but following a kick ahead the move broke down. However de la Harpe was again to the fore a few minutes later when he intercepted on his own 22 sprinted along the touchline and this time players were on hand and Jon Child (Welwyn) completed the movement with a try. For the remaining 10 minutes of the half Herts continued to move the ball from all positions and although mistakes were made, the home side were on top, with the score 14-3, and the visitors had not really threatened the home line.

Herts resumes their attacking approach straight from the restart and almost scored when Chris Rainbow (Newbury) charged down a clearance kick but his attempts to regather eventually ended in a knock on. Herts kept up the pressure forcing a couple of 5 metre scrums and from the second they ran the ball, fullback Kieron Davies (Ampthill) entered the line and made space for Adde to score. In the 12th minute a good Gregg kick forced the visitors to concede another 5 metre scrum, from which Alfie Church (Hertford) forced his way over the line. Herts were now 28-3 up and perhaps relaxing, allowed Oxfordshire their only bit of sustained pressure. However they defended a series of attacking lineouts well.

After 25 minutes play, any final hopes of an Oxfordshire recovery were dashed when Rainbow robbed them of ball when they had a scrum on the Herts 22. He took play up field and the move was completed by Gregg to take the Herts score to 35 points. Herts continued to dominate and shortly before the end good turn over ball was converted into an Handre Schmidt (Hertford) try after Child had made the initial break. Herts joy at winning was tempered when just before the final whistle, Rainbow, who had had an outstanding game, dislocated his shoulder.

Hertfordshire: Kieron Davies (Ampthill); Ian Crompton (Stevenage Town), Jon Child (Welwyn), Ray Adde (Hemel Hempstead), Nico Burger (Old Ashmolean); Richard Gregg (Old Albanian) (Capt), Ryan de la Harpe (Letchworth); Adam Gelman (Old Albanian), Brent Lemiere (St Albans), Jim Remfry (Caldy), Peter Coke (Hertford), Robert Dumbleton (Harpenden), Alfie Church (Hertford), Chris Rainbow (Newbury), Ian Hardcastle (Westcombe Park).

Replacements: Paul Welch (Hertford) (Gregg 74 min), Handre Schmidt (Hertford) (Burger 47 min), Mark Evans (Old Albanian) (Crompton 61 min), Mike Green (Hemel Hempstead) (Remfry 69 min), Jon Patton (Hertford) (Lemiere 34 min), Gareth Davies (Tabard) (Coke 59 min), Peter Streinberg (Letchworth) (Hardcastle 74 min).