Hertford 1^st XV v Shelford 1^st XV                         

Result : 10 points to 13 points 

On their first visit to Hertford RFC at Highfields for a London League 1 fixture, Shelford will have learnt the valuable lesson that winning by three points is, in certain circumstances, far more rewarding than running in fifty or so points as they have done on a number of occasions this season.

 Their coaching staff, aware that traditionally Hertford would pose a physical threat though their forward set up, were consequently pleased that James Saunders was able to pass a late fitness and regain his place in the Shelford front row. They also chose to start Nick Sutcliffe in the second row, rather than initially risk Edward Mills who was only just returning from injury. This Shelford squad have however shown that traditions hold little sway with them and from their opponents kick off to start the match they took every advantage to run the ball.  With play going through a rapid series of recycles, Shelford were creating opportunities to break through the Hertford defence. Alex Birkby and Aki Lea were combining well to make the initial breaks over the advantage line and were then being ably supported by the rest of the team. The final passes were however not going to hand and therefore the tries that could have resulted were not to be. Such was the domination that Shelford imposed in the first quarter of play that their opponents hardly touched the ball apart from re-staring play after Thomas Dann had converted penalty kicks in the eight and eighteenth minute. Just when it appeared that the Shelford coaching staff’s concerns would be confounded the tide of play started to turn, when, in quick succession, Shelford were deprived of the services of Aki Lea through injury and Will Pilkinton with a visit to the sin bin.

The Hertford forwards were then able to assert a degree of pressure which resulted in the conversion of a penalty in the thirty second minute. The Shelford defensive effort held firm for the remained of the half and they were unfortunate not to be awarded a try when the referee was unsighted as the forwards drove a rolling maul over their opponents try line.  The second half started with the score line reading 3 points to 6 points and Shelford now being assisted by a favourable wind. They were however denied the potential to use this advantage as Hertford threw all their recourses into the effort of securing first phase ball and disrupting Shelford’s pattern of play. Time and again further defensive action was called for by Shelford and time and again they withstood the pressure. Even when Alex Birxby was forced off the field to receive treatment to a stamping injury and then Kramer Ronaki was sent to the sin bin for a late tackle, the Shelford players refused to allow Hertford any further points. Such was the commitment, as demonstrated by the temporary front row substitute Simon Neep, that they were able to force their opponents into a series of forced errors and wrong options until they were rejoined by their missing colleagues. With the Hertford forwards now showing signs of fatigue due to their earlier efforts, and Edward Mills now on for Nick Sutcliffe who had performed, as expected, with his usual experience and commitment, Shelford were able to impose themselves once again and demonstrated how to score points when with five minutes remaining Scott Jackowski finished of a concerted forward drive by being on hand to receive a delayed pass to score by the posts from five metres out. Tom Dann duly added the conversion which effectively put the game beyond their opponents. To their credit, Hertford responded with a try in the last minute but the conversion only signalled the end of the match with the final score line reading 10 points to 13 points.  

The Shelford players now have a break of two weeks to let their battered and in some cases injured bodies recover before they host Barnes at the Davey Field on the 9^th February. This very physical match will have reminded the players that not all their opponents will allow themselves to be brushed aside. But in turn, the Shelford team squad will know that when called upon to defend their line they will do so to a man.