Hertfordshire Rugby Football Union 

Press Notice 

Essex win Muddy Battle 

Essex U20 17 Hertfordshire Stags 15 

Essex U20s narrowly beat the Hertfordshire Stags on a very muddy pitch at Barking by just two points in the RFU National U20 Championship. Despite the poor conditions, both sides attempted to play enterprising rugby, but the inevitable mistakes followed. Despite that five tries were scored, three by the Stags, but Essex kicked their goals to edge home. 

The Hertfordshire cause was not helped by a very early injury to their most experienced player, prop Rob Schillaci (Hertford), who went off in the first minute and further disruption was caused to the scrum when his replacement Nick Dean (Cheshunt) was also injured just before half time. Also the visitor's discipline left a bit to be desired and they suffered because all Essex's point s were scored while players were in the sin bin. 

Despite the initial set back the Stags drew first blood, having set up an attacking position from the kick off. From a line out the catch and drive was re-cycled and lock forward, Michael Fawssett (Chess Valley) drove over the line to open the scoring. With the ball still relatively dry and the pitch not churned up, running rugby was possible and within five minutes the Stags had increased their lead. Although Essex won a strike against the head the Stags pounced on the ball, ran it to the home 22, recycled and centre Mitch Clare (Bishop's Stortford) crossed the line for an unconverted try. The Stags continued to press, winning a strike against the head and giving the opportunity for wing Michael Allen (Hertford) to show his paces. After 15 minutes they should have gone further ahead but a penalty kick went wide. 

Mid way through the half, Essex started to come back into the game and careless defence saw a Stags player yellow carded. Essex took advantage of this and continued to press going close a couple of times before a good scrum drive gave the defenders poor ball and No 8 Dan Peasnall (Barking) pounced to score a try converted by Ross Inwood (Barking). Essex continued to press, but when the Stags were restored to full strength their fortunes improved. A good period of pressure just before half time eventually saw the Stags extend their lead. Firstly a drop goal attempt went wide, but then on the stroke of half time scrum half George Hlavaty (Hertford) picked up from a 5 metre scrum and was driven over the line. Although the wide conversion failed the visitors were 15 - 7 ahead. 

The Stags opened the second half brightly, but when after about 7 minutes Essex put on some pressure, discipline snapped and a yellow card resulted. Essex gained a line out 5 metres out and a Stags player stopped the subsequent attack with a deliberate knock on that resulted in three points kicked by replacement fly half Calum Howard (Barking). Both side continued to show enterprise but there was much slithering in the mud and by now Essex had the edge in the scrums. In the middle of the half they won good scrummage ball on the Stag's 22 ran the ball well and centre Lewis Pruce (Barking) was over for a try. Howard converted to give the home side a 2 point lead. 

As handling became more difficult the game became scrappy, both sides had their moments, but the Stags squandered a couple of good chances near the end through poor decision making. A relatively easy kick at goal wasn't taken and a tap penalty poorly executed. Then just before the final whistle, the Stags were awarded a long range penalty, but the kick went wide and the home side had won by two points. 

Next Sunday the Stags complete the pool stage of the competition with a match at Bramley Road, the ground of Saracens Amateurs RFC, against Middlesex U20. 

Hertfordshire Stags: Scott Clewlow (Welwyn); Jason Davis (Tabard), Mitch Clare (Bishop's Stortford), Louis Gabriel (Harpenden) (Capt), Michael Allan (Hertford); Alex Mumford (Bishop's Stortford), George Hlavaty (Hertford); Josh Gilmartin (Hitchin), Charlie Hughes (Old Albanian), Rob Schillaci (Hertford), Sam Barrow (Tabard), Michael Fawssett (Chess Valley), Alex Casey (Barking), Duane Brand (Hitchin), Alex Banna (Stevenage Town).

Replacements: Nick Dean (Cheshunt) (Schillaci 1 min), Dan Calnan (Tabard) (Banna 59 min), Luke Richards (Stevenage Town) (Casey 76 min), Wes Moore (Stevenage Town) (Dean 43 min), Rory Harcourt (Welwyn) (Hlavaty 73 min), Jack Mann (Hertford) (Clewlow 69 min).