Our last home game saw an excellent wind against our old rivals Harpenden but we were unable to add another victory the following week on our travels to Bedford Athletic, where a narrow loss left us pondering what might have been. Still, try and loss bonus points were some consolation and helped us to consolidate 8th place in the league.

This week we welcome old rivals Amersham and Chiltern who are searching for their first victory of the season although they have achieved 3 bonus points from their 4 losses which sees them sit in 11th place just above North Walsham.

Students of the Hertford squads over the years may recognize Amershams hooker, Chris Joyce, who plied his trade at Hoe Lane for a while and proved to be a very useful member of our squad.

Howard and his coaching team have the nearest they've ever had to a full squad for selection, with now only two or three on the sick list who would possibly be in contention. They have opted for a useful blend of youth and experience including three players with over 100 caps and three players under 10 caps.

The eagle eyed amongst you would have noticed Rudders has moved out to the wing. A bold move you might say. Josh has been, and still is, one of the standout players over the past few seasons and there are four or five positions on the field where I would be happy to see him.

The 2nd XV hit the road to Essex to take on Thurrock with what looks on paper to be a very strong squad Good luck fellas.

Back at Hoe Lane the pre match lunch is the one designated as the Vice President's lunch. Always an entertaining day where by kickoff time the old has beens have renewed old friendships and remembered those who are playing their final and permanent away fixture.
By game time they will be recalling how great things were with the three-point try, how they didn't need a Charlotte because they had a bucket and sponge, how the only nutritional decision was whether you had 1/4 or half an orange at half time and the only conditioning referred to was whether a pint of AK was cloudy or not.

By the end of the game some may be thinking they might still be able to have a run out on a Saturday and by Sunday morning most of them will be feeling as if they did. Gentlemen we welcome you back for another year.

On a serious note many of these gents were ex players, former custodians of the shirts on the field this weekend, and provide much welcomed support for the club in a variety of ways. They hold a lifelong passion for rugby and for Hertford rugby club in particular.

So, current players, if you get the opportunity, engage with them and maybe make allowances for law interpretations from the era of the three point try, the cloths line tackle and when raking was compulsory!

There is a definite sense that we are building something at Hertford, maybe not quick enough for some, but everything comes to he who waits. Like all things in life, it's important to look forward but also to remember where you have come from.

Here’s to a great win for Hertford, in every sense.

Mines a Guinness!