Hertfordshire Stags suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of Hampshire U20s in the opening match of the RFU National U20 Championship at Winchester on Sunday. Despite the Stags scoring first and last in the match they shipped 61 points in the two try sandwich to get their season off to a disappointing start.

The more mature Hampshire side dominated possession in the loose and though the Stags competed well in the line out, the quality of set piece possession was not good enough to give their backs much of a chance. In contrast the Hampshire backs, directed by Simon Gregory (Portsmouth and late of Old Albanians), had many opportunities to show their pace and skill.

The Stags opened confidently enough and in the second minute left wing Tom Johnson (Oaklands College) went over in the corner after Craig South (Hertford) had taken the ball on following quick ruck ball. Hampshire soon responded and took up an attacking position near the Stag's line. After 7 minutes play they drove prop James Monck (UWIC) over the line and Gregory added the simple conversion, to give the home side the lead. Given good possession by their forwards the Hampshire backs began to impress and midway through the half two more converted tries were added though full back Greg Sullivan (Newbury) and right wing Karl Buttle (Basingstoke).

The Stags then defended well until they tested the referee's patience once too often and Miles Dempsey (Fullerians) went to the sin bin. The home team immediately used their numerical advantage when their No 8, Luke Richardson (Basingstoke), drove over and then centre Phillipe Pearse (Redruth) scored from a kick ahead. Gregory added the conversions and at half time Hampshire led 35-5.

The Stags started the second half brightly, but a missed touch soon gave Hampshire the opportunity to regain their ascendancy. They knocked on with the line at their mercy and then replacement Callum Macgregor (Newbury) opened the second half scoring with a try. Midway through the half left wing Glen Lewis (Basingstoke) was put over the line and Gregory missed the conversion for the only time in the afternoon. The Stags stuck to their task and for the next 15 mins or so they spent a fair amount of time in Hampshire territory. But when the home side attacked again desperate defence resulted in a yellow card for South and once again Hampshire capitalised on their advantage with a push over try credited to Paul Morgan (Newbury) and a second try for Pearse.

The Stags did not give up and were rewarded in the dying minutes when centre Carling Colfer (Old Albanian) was driven over by his forwards for a try and the final score of the match.

The Stags must now regroup before their next game, which is against Susses at Chichester on Sunday, 17th February.

Hertfordshire: Tom Sadler (Saracens Amateurs); Francis Denny (Old Albanian), Carling Colfer (Old Albanian), Brad Martin (Saracens Amateurs), Tom Johnson (Oaklands College); Zak Vinnicombe (Fullerians), Elliott Birkbeck (Northampton), Paul Brown (Bishop's Stortford), James Coston (Old Albanian) (Capt), Ollie Day (Bishop's Stortford), Craig South (Hertford), Miles Dempsey (Fullerians), Sean Hughes, James Alford (Letchworth), Sean Flatman (Letchworth)

Replacements: Roger Williams (Old Albanian) (Day 54min), Tom Haller (Old Albanian) (Coston 64min), Joe Frewin (Fullerians) (Brown 64min), Jamie Molly (Vinnicombe 59min), Joe Oyesiku (Finchley) (Hughes 64min)