With the clubhouse and marquee packed with festive spirit, as youth coaches, the High Oak (4 fantastic tables of them!), and other local sports clubs converged on the Club to enjoy their Christmas lunches, the expectation on the Hertford team was high – and they did not disappoint.

Hertford started at a hurried pace down the slope, with the energising Thacker back after injury driving the ball forward from the outset. Fayaz was also returning – in his case from a season long sojourn in North London – and showed his dynamism. There was a clear intent to get on top of Shelford, and the players surged forward creating some space on the wing for Lomu-lite Kay to barge down the wing, only for the play to be brought back for a forward pass.

Apart from one errant scrum, Hertford pressured Shelford in the pack and mauls, and had the defenders going backwards in the midfield. Shelford began giving away penalties, and Hertford eschewed the easy points for the possibility of tries.

With the rolling maul working well, Hertford rumbled into the Shelford 22 only to be brought down short, which resulted in Lemon kicking wide for Sutherland. Shelford just got to the ball first, and had a tryline drop out. The kick was gathered by Fry who ran the straightest of straight lines straight back at Shelford, shedding a couple of tacklers before rapidly recycling the ball to the oncoming support of Swift. Having got to within a metre of the line Banna was on hand to squeeze over.

A well deserved 7-0 after 10 minutes.

After some impressive defence in the far corner as it looked like Shelford had gone over the line, with Corcoran and Fry particularly powerful in the tackle, Hertford returned to their domineering territorial play. Hertford were causing real problems for Shelford, with strong running from Bovaird in particular, and Jones working effectively as first receiver off many of the plays.

Shelford continued to get penalised and Hertford kicked for touch. Taking the ball flat, Lemon twisted and wriggled through the Shelford defence well beyond the gain line to put the defence in disarray, with Jones getting the ball again at first receiver this time he chipped the ball for the onrushing Kay from the wing, who gathered up the bouncing ball to go over.

14-0 after 25 minutes.

After a big collision, Fayaz had to go through the head injury checks and was sensibly sent to A&E to be checked over. Bloomer came on as replacement, and along with Bovaird may be the biggest pair of props Hertford have ever fielded. They certainly continued the strong work in the pack, especially with a scrum on the Shelford 22 that they wheeled to the right allowing Hale to scoot down the blind side a-la Dawson 1997. This time the defender didn’t buy the feint, and Hale had to loop the ball inside for the supporting Corcoran who was bundled into touch.

Corcoran had been devastating in defence, snuffing out Shelford's repeated attempts to get back into the game, including some crucial turnovers. The programme poster boy of the day, with 17 years of 1st XV experience and several as Captain, has been an important influence on the relatively youthful pack in its development. Unfortunately he suffered a dislocated shoulder, and also had to go to A&E. Get well soon.

After a very solid first half, the Under 10s entertained the crowd with a game demonstrating their skills and favourite try scoring celebration routines.

The second half started with Hertford pushing Shelford back in the scrum, and the timeless and ever improving Lemon (about the same vintage as Corcoran) pulling the strings from fly half. His rangy dervish running makes him an continual threat with ball in hand, and his kicking has been sublime. After his cross field kick in the first half, he went for another audacious chip ahead. Whilst it looked to everyone else as if the kick had been over cooked, the rapid and responsive Gilchrist had faith and chased the ball hard getting there just in time to dot it down. Another conversion from Lemon made it 21-0.

Shelford were much more involved in the second half, and were it not for some handling errors would have challenged further. As it was, they mauled over for a try out wide to make it 21-5.

With the bonus try in their sights, Hertford were definitely not kicking the penalties as they were awarded. They went through the same process of setting up stall in the Shelford 22, and this time they opted to wear them down. After around 15 disciplined phases of tight pick-and-goes, the controlled constriction of the game paid off as Banna went over for his second try from 0.5 metres, and probably the least glamourous brace of tries of his career. Worthy of note, Lemon finally missed a kick after a stellar run over the last few home games. 26-5. Although these days, even his missed conversions bounce off of the uprights.

With things loosening up a bit, Banna got back to his usual barnstorming charges, and released Sutherland to make further ground up the pitch, until Shelford forced the turnover. However, being completely on the back foot, Shelford skewed their clearance kit straight to Kay who was prowling with menace 35 metres out. Running onto the ball at pace and with power, the splintered Shelford backline all said "your man", as Kay careered down the middle of pitch with unstoppable abandon. Some said it was akin to Moses parting the red sea to allow safe passage. A truly great way to complete the day, as Hertford finished 33-5 winners.

Next Saturday sees the 1s away at Harpenden, and the doubtably redoubtable Over 30s taking on the Under 30s at the Club at 3 pm, followed by the Carol Service and Ware Brass Band at 7.30 pm.

Team: Farhad Fayaz, Steffan Jones (c), James Bovaird, James Thacker, Sonny Swift, Alex Banna, Tremaine Fry, Josh Corcoran; David Hale, Kyle Lemon, Fin Sutherland, Josh Rudling, Ben Gilchrist, Alex Kay, Morgan Jackson

Bench: Finn Bloomer, Joe Tracy, Sam Little

Tries: Banna 2, Kay 2, Gilchrist

Cons: Lemon 4

Man of the match: Tremaine Fry

Sponsors: Entire Building Solutions

Photographer: Billy Windsock