Herts U15 dominated the Royal and Sun Alliance National 10's competition last weekend winning all 3 of their pool matches and the quarter final, semi final and final scoring 27 tries and conceding only 5.

In doing so, we played some phenomenal attacking rugby with an expansive game plan and set the standard for offensive defence. In two of the knockout rounds we went behind but didn’t panic, continued to play expansive rugby and in the end, destroyed some very good (and big) opposition.

On Saturday we were paired with Somerset, Northumberland and Staffordshire with the winner progressing to the knockout stages.

Sharp 2

Collins 1

Stairmand 1

George 1

Hearn 2

Sharp 1

Palmer 1

Reynolds 1

Gabriel 2

Stairmand 1

Hearn 1

Stairmand 3

Speirs 1

George 1

Reynolds 1

On Sunday in the quarter final, we met Yorkshire who were very confident of victory particularly when they scored after only 35 seconds in what was probably the only serious defensive error we made in 2 days. Hertfordshire had fallen at exactly the same stage last year and the nerves of watching parents were seriously shredded by this stage. Jamie Hearn responded just before half time but within 2 minutes of the second half commencing Yorkshire’s big pack mauled up the field and created an overlap in the corner. Herts then bombarded Yorkshire in a very physical half and with only a minute and a half to go, Herts ran the ball from their 22 and Jack Reynolds put Jamie Hearn into space. Jamie ran the length of the field and placed the ball down under the posts for Owen Farrell to convert and Herts won 12-10.

Next came a confident Surrey side who had won 8 out of 9 10’s games in the preceding weeks and who had beaten us earlier in the season at 15’s. They also selected a big and aggressive side intent on playing a limited game up the middle of the field but tries from Jack Reynolds and Jake Sharp gave Herts a 12-0 lead at half-time. Surrey pressed hard in the 2^nd half and got a consolation try in the corner midway through the half but Herts were never under threat of losing this game.

Essex who had impressed in their knockout rounds were the other finalists and contained 4 Premiership Academy players including the Barking winger Nico Fraser who scored twice in quick succession to give Essex a 12-0 lead. The game was closely contested as Herts fought back and Owen Farrell went over in the corner and then converted from the sideline to make it 12-7. In the dying seconds of the half, Jamie Hearn again sped away from his cover and scored in the corner to tie the scores at half-time. This seemed to take the sting out of Essex and tactical replacements at half time proved crucial when Victor Stairmand scored his 6^th try of the tournament to outrun the Essex winger for the corner. Two minutes later Herts turned the ball over in the Essex 22; the ball was quickly moved to Jake Sharp and then onto Owen Farrell who put Jake Bates, the other half-time replacement, in from 5 metres to give Herts a 24-12 lead. Although Essex responded in the dying seconds with an unconverted try a win by 24-17 was the end result.

This tremendous performance was a reflection not only on the players who made up the 10's squad but everyone who has played rugby for the county this season.

· All 48 players we have chosen to represent Herts Under 15’s this season.

· Those players selected for 10’s training who didn’t make the final squad but provided excellent support during the sessions we had.

· Hertford and Harpenden for providing ‘very stiff’ opposition on the weekend preceding the tournament, which set the tone for last Sunday.

· The parents of everyone involved for their support, involvement and positive contributions.

· The Under 15 club coaches across the county.

Well done to everyone involved you've all done the county, your clubs and your schools proud!

Dave Hesketh Mike McKay

There are loads of photos available on