Sunday 25 February was a super Sunday for Hertfordshire’s junior representative sides. While the Stags were winning in Hitchin (see elsewhere for a match report), five Herts Rugby teams were putting in strong performances at Woollams Playing Fields, the home ground of St Albans School.

The Under 16s were without their international and divisional players, and played well against a determined Sussex side. The wind threatened to be a problem after Herts failed to capitalise on their advantage in the first half, but the pack always seemed to be on top after the sides turned round. With better finishing and less handling errors, the side might have won by more than the final score of 15-8.

It was a strange week for the Under 15s, with Eastern Counties pulling out of their fixture on Thursday. But before our formidable fixture secretary had time to pick up the phone, two of the three counties that make up Eastern Counties volunteered to turn up anyway! All to no avail, though – the Herts A side crushed Suffolk by 38-7 in their first half, while our B team was taking on Cambridgeshire and holding them to a 0-3 deficit. The two visiting sides then swapped pitches, and Suffolk fared better against Herts B, but only by a 5-0 margin! Cambridgeshire took on our A team with the wind to help them, but again we came out on top, scoring one try to nil. All a bit bizarre, but very satisfying performances all round by the Herts lads.

Our Under 14s started the day without a win to their name, but swept home in both games against Middlesex. They’ll soon learn that we like beating Middlesex (… and Essex, and Surrey, and …!). The Herts A team grew in confidence during their game, although the 12-11 scoreline reflects how close the game was. No such problems for the B side, who romped home by 38-0 – well done, lads. A small footnote here – the Under 14 B team game was refereed by Hannah Everitt, the first time a woman referee has officiated in a Herts representative game (unless anyone knows different). Another blow for diversity!

!08 points scored, only 34 conceded, five victories and two moral victories (well, on average, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk must have had seven or eight players that were A team standard, so our Under 15 B team did really well!). A fine effort in what was their final home fixtures this season for the three age groups.

March 11 sees the Under 16s and Under 14s crossing the border to Essex, while the Under 15s will be heading for Hampshire.