Hertfordshire Rugby Football Union 

Press Notice 

Disappointing end to Stags Season 

Kent U20 19 Hertfordshire Stags 14  

Hertfordshire Stag's ended their season on a disappointing note, going down by 19 points to 14 in their play off match against Kent U20s at Aldershot on Sunday. 

It was a match that they could, and probably should, have won. However having competed well in the first half they failed to make use of the strong wind in the second and ended up a tantalising one score adrift. Their cause wants helped by the fact that the Stags only had one replacement available and when an injury occurred he had to play out of position. Kent meanwhile had a plentiful supply of fresh legs.  

Playing with the wind on a rare dry pitch, Kent had the early territorial advantage and they could have scored but for a midfield obstruction. Then as Kent set up another attack centre Louis Gabriel (Harpenden) intercepted 25 metres from his line and sprinted up the field. As defenders closed on him he gave a good pass to lock Michael Fawssett (Chess Valley) who was up in support and Fawssett crossed the line for an unconverted try. This early score gave the Stags some confidence and the backs used the ball well whenever the forward won ball. A scoring opportunity went begging with a knock on and Kent using the wind then put the pressure back on the Stags. 

The Stags defended well but, after going close twice, Kent finally crossed the line with a pushover try and the conversion gave them the lead. Herts responded quickly and when Kent failed to retire at a penalty Sam Coleman (Bishop's Stortford) was presented with an easy three points and his side were back in the lead. On the half hour, Kent again failed to retire at a penalty and Coleman increased his side's lead. The Stags continued to threaten the Kent line but lost the ball at crucial times. Then as half time approached Kent returned to the Stags' 22. The Stags defence held up well but on the stroke of half time the Kent prop crossed the line for a converted try. 

Only 3 points down and with the wind behind them the Stags were in a good position as the second half started. However they failed to get going in the early stages, getting little possession, and it was not long before Kent were over in the corner to take their tally to 19 points. By now the Stags were struggling in the scrums and they lost a couple against the head. The backs did their best with what ball they had and Coleman used the wind well to get the Stags near the Kent line. Their reward came half way through the half with a third Coleman penalty, but that was the end of the scoring. Both sides had half chances but both defences were equal to the challenge, but in the end Kent deserved their win. 

Hertfordshire Stags: Scott Clewlow (Welwyn); Betts (Hitchin), Louis Gabriel (Harpenden) (Capt), Alex Nolan, Michael Allan (Hertford); Steve Ellis (Hertford), Sam Coleman (Bishop's Stortford); Declan Caulfield (Bishop's Stortford), Nick Dean (Cheshunt), Charlie Hughes (Old Albanian), Sam Barrow (Tabard), Michael Fawssett (Chess Valley), Wesley Moore (Stevenage Town), Duane Brand (Hitchin), Alex Casey (Barking).

Replacement: Dan Calnan (Tabard) (Brand 46 min)