Sunday 22^nd February saw the Herts U14’s embark on their season when they hosted Berkshire RFU at Old Albanians Rugby Club.

Over 100 spectators witnessed the Herts U14 1^st XV and 2^nd XV secure wins against a strong Berkshire side.

The Herts U14 1^st XV won 14 points to nil. They dominated the game for long periods but Berkshire’s resilient defending prevented them scoring more points.

The Herts U14 2^nd XV match as much more even affair with Berkshire leading for most of the match. Herts left it until the last 5 minutes to score and then defended ferociously to secure 22 points to 19 victory.

The coaching team were pleased with the performances as Berkshire had been together as a squad since September and had had 5 training sessions whilst Herts had only 1 training session prior to the matches.

James, Felgate, Jeffrey, Itoje, Boland, Bloxham, Moskofian, Kramer,

Cullen (Capt), Sharp, Fallon, Fraser, Orbart, Hiscock, Gillespie, Douch, Hooper, Cook, Chant, Yildez, Luftig

Pieterse, Sainsbury, Harrison, Toon, Wheeler, Hammond, Wiles, Tinner,

Calder (Capt), Hawkins, Purdy, Graham, Mitchell, Jones, Maher, Keam, Mellen, Elliott, Allan, Nice, Tunmore, Walker

Wednesday 11^th March 2009 saw a squad from the Under 14 age group travel to Biggleswade RFC to take on Bedfordshire in an evening development match that consisted of three (3), twenty-minute periods.

Bedfordshire started strongly and dominated the first 10 minutes. It didn’t help that Herts conceded one too many penalties. However towards the end of Herts was slowly gaining an even hand resulting in the 1^st period ending without score.

The 2^nd period saw Herts come out and take the game to Beds. With some excellent work by the forwards resulted in Herts scoring their 1^st try of the evening under the posts. Bedfordshire came back at Herts but this time Herts started to gain control around the contact area and started to turn over ball with a quick pass out the backs went to work and herts went over to score their 2^nd try which was duly converted resulting gin Herts leading 14points to nil at the end of the 2^nd period.

The 3^rd Period continued in the same vein as the second with herts now firmly establishing control of the game which resulted in a further 3 tries & 2 conversions being scored.

The final score was Herts 33 Beds 0.

The coaching team were pleased with the defending and noticed that the work on the contact area in training had been transferred to the match.

The coaching team wish to thank all the parents for getting the players to Biggleswade and to the squad players who also made the trip to support their teammates.

Pieterse, Shorten, Jeffrey, Holt, Simmons, Bailey, Sach (Captain), Down, Seymour, Malins, McNeill, Cook, Sears-Black, Oladarin, Hawkins, James, Tunmore, Bloxham, Clark, Poulain, Farrelly, Butler, Chadwell, Lowbridge, Sharp

Sunday 29^th March 2009 saw the Herts County Under 14 1^st & 2^nd XV squads travel to Beaconsfield RFC to play in a development match against Buckinghamshire.

The 1^st XV played first and started strongly scoring an early try. BUCKS replied a couple of minutes later with a well taken penalty. Herts then stepped up a gear and spent the rest of the first half camped in Bucks 22 which resulted in 2 further tries before half time.

The 2^nd half saw a Bucks revival but stout defending prevented them from scoring. Bucks began to tire which Herts capitalised on scoring a further 3 tries making the final score HERTS 34 – BUCKS 3

The 2^nd XV game started with Herts determined to play running rugby. With some good passing moves they scored 5 tries in the 1st half.

The 2^nd half saw Herts continue in the same vein and score a further 4 tries rsluting in a final score of HERTS 49 BUCKS 0

The coaching team were very pleased with the results and it was good to see that the squad is gelling together well. It was noticeable that the players have improved.

The coaching team now have the difficult task of selecting the 44 man squad for the full CB fixture against Essex.

James, Petts, Jeffrey, Itoje, Down, Kramer, Felgate, Sach, Cullen, Sharp (Capt), Fallon, Fraser, Orbart, McNeill, Lowbridge, Piterse, Calder, Hammond, Hiscock

Walker, Luftig, Tunmore, Toon, Holt, Simmons, Tinner, Nice, Seymour (Capt),Elliott, Purdy, Mellen, Cook, Maher, Mitchell, Oladarin, Gillespie, Chadwell, Yildez, Keam, Butler, Wheeler, Wiles, Douch, Allan, Harrison, Hawkins, Shorten

The County U14’s are hoping to end their season on a high when they host ESSEX at Bishop Stortford RFC on Sunday 26^th April 2009.

Both games kick off at 2.30pm