Herts Stags lost to Kent U20s in their fourth place play-off for a "Jason Leonard and London & SE Trophy" on Sunday, March 30th at Aldershot, by just one point. The difference between the two teams finally turned on a conversion in front of the posts, which unfortunately for the Stags hit the upright and rebounded.

The Stags continued the improvement they have shown throughout the season against a lively Kent side and a neutral observer would not have thought that neither side had won during the pool stage of the competition. The backs had an excellent game, to such and extent that three players, Henry Robinson (Letchworth), Carling Colfer (Old Albanian) and Kris Cottenden (Letchworth) caught the eye of the Divisional selectors. The forwards also played well in the loose where their defensive commitment couldn't be faulted, but short of a few first choice players, they struggled to produce quality ball at the set pieces.

The early stages of the game went the Stags way with the backs showing a willingness to run the ball out from defence. Robinson and Colfer and Cottenden all made good breaks and they were finally rewarded when Kent conceded a penalty on the ground and Zac Vinnicombe (Fullerians) added the points. The Kent forward gradually took some control and starved the Stags of possession. Midway through the half they established themselves near the Stags line and tried to power their way over the line on a number of occasions. Twice defenders prevented Kent from putting the ball down over the line, but eventually after a 10 minute siege Kent elected to kick a penalty and Tom Best (Deal & Betteshanger) equalled the score.

Moments later the Stags regained the lead when scrum half Elliott Birkbeck (Old Northamptonians) ran a quick penalty and put Colfer over for a try. 5 minutes later Robinson appeared to score an excellent try, but play was recalled due to a misdemeanour by a Stags forward that resulted in a yellow card. Then just before half time Kent closed the gap with a second Best penalty.

Kent took the early second half initiative and were soon in a position to drive Will Massey (Folkestone) over from a line out. A series of injuries then disrupted play and as a result continuity was lost and play became rather scrappy. Half an hour had gone before the next score came. Cottenden put in another powerful run and kicked ahead. Kent fumbled the ball and Tom Jankowski (Welwyn) was on hand to score under the posts. Unfortunately the conversion hit a post and the Stags only led 13-11. Minutes later, Kent replied with a third Best penalty, from 30 metres, to give themselves a one point lead. The Stags still had plenty of time to regain the lead but as play went deep into injury time, Kent were camped in the Stags' 22 and the chance of victory had gone with the conversion.

Hertfordshire Stags: Henry Robinson (Letchworth); Kyle Lemon (Stevenage Town), Carling Colfer (Old Albanian), Joe Weston (Saracens Amateurs), Kris Cottendon (Letchworth); Zak Vinnicombe (Fullerians), Elliot Birkbeck (Old Northamptonians); Sam England (Old Albanian), Tom Haller (Old Albanian) (capt), Ollie Day (Bishop's Stortford), Pieter Frisch (Hitchin), Jamie Molloy (Fullerians), Miles Dempsey (Fullerians), Tom Mellor (Bedford), Tom Jankowski (Welwyn)