Hertfordshire Rugby Football Union 

Press Notice 

Middlesex too strong for Stags 

Middlesex U20 25 Hertfordshire Stags 12  

The Middlesex pack proved too strong for Hertfordshire Stags, particularly in the first half, in the final pool match of the RFU National U20 Championship at Bramley Road on Sunday. Middlesex dominated the first half leading by 20 points at half time and although the Stags showed some resilience in the second half, scoring two tries, Middlesex ran out winners 25-12. 

There were doubts about the fitness of the Saracens Amateurs pitch before the start, but in fact it was in better condition that at Barking the previous week. 

The Stags got off to a poor start and within minutes were five points down. Having conceded a penalty in the opening exchanges, the Stags were on the defensive from the subsequent line out and a good catch and drive put prop Nick Lewis (Saracens Amateurs) over the line. The visitors continued to struggle for possession and when they did get into the Middlesex half they were penalised and lost the initiative. After 10 minutes play Middlesex increase their lead when following a good forward drive they moved the ball along the line and then kicked for wing Sam Randle (Brunel Univ) to gather and score. Ross McGowan (London Scottish) added the conversion. 

The Stags finally won some decent possession midway through the half, but a good run by wing Michael Allan (Hertford) was stopped on the home 22. But then Herts lost a line out, conceded a penalty and Middlesex should have scored but for a dropped ball with the line at their mercy. On the half hour the home side got their reward for their pressure when another penalty set up a line out 5 metres out. Another catch and drive put lock forward Sam Kelly (Saracens Amateurs) over for an unconverted try. Middlesex came close to scoring a couple more times, but the Stags defence held up up well, though there was time for McGowan to kick a penalty to make it 20-nil at half time.  

The Stags had an early second half opportunity to hit back when Middlesex were penalised, but the kick was wide. The visitor's efforts to get back into the game were then thwarted when the home side won good turnover ball and wing Robbie Martey (Saracens Amateurs) ran in from 25 metres. Shortly after the Stags made three substitutions and their fresh legs helped raise their spirits and their game. Even though none of the changes involved the forwards, they began to win more ball and on the defensive Middlesex gave away penalties. Unfortunately the Stags line out was not working well and it was some time before they finally got on the scoreboard. Then after broken play Allan popped up on the wrong wing and crossed the line. Sam Coleman (Bishop's Stortford) added the conversion from wide on the right. 

As the game moved to a close Middlesex had an opportunity to extend their lead, but knocked on and it was Hertfordshire who had the last word. With the game moving into stoppage time the Stags ran from a tapped penalty and right wing Carl Buckingham (Hemel Hempstead) kicked through and touched down. So the Stags could at least say they had won the second half, but the first half deficit had left them too much to do.   

Hertfordshire Stags: Jack Mann (Hertford); Michael Allan (Hertford), Mitch Clare (Bishop's Stortford) (Capt),  James Littlejohn (Welwyn), Jason Davis (Tabard); Alex Mumford (Bishop's Stortford), George Hlavaty (Hertford); Rob Schillaci (Hertford), Nick Dean (Cheshunt), Josh Gilmartin (Hitchin), Sam Barrow (Tabard), Michael Fawssett (Chess Valley), Alex Casey (Barking), Duane Brand (Hitchin), Alex Banna (Stevenage Town).

Replacements: Luke Richards (Stevenage Town), Dan Calnan (Tabard), Wesley Moore (Stevenage Town), Scott Clewlow (Welwyn) (Mann 50 min), Sam Coleman (Bishop's Stortford) (Hlavaty 50 min), Carl Buckingham (Hemel Hempstead) (Davis 50 min), Rory Harcourt (Welwyn)