Three qualifying rounds followed by a FINAL on consecutive Saturdays. What a build up; what a month of rugby; what a team!

This has been achieved with 17 of the 20 man squad having played their youth rugby at Hertford. That youth rugby experience has spread over five decades – the 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, and 20s. That is real club unity and just what the Termites should be.

The excusable non-junior Hertfordians on Saturday were Colonial Friend* Jacob Mcatamney (junior club: Central Coast Grammar, Australia) and Jacob O'Leary (junior club: Bude, Cornwall). The other miscreant is inexcusable. Too posh to push at Hertford in his time in the minis, he was sent to what was perceived to be the more genteel environs of Datchworth, before boarding school took over. We can't necessarily be held responsible for the decisions of our parents, but at least Captain Gawthorne has appreciated the importance of imbuing the spirit of Hertford Rugby Club in his progeny, and Harry has definitely shown the benefits (as has Jess off the pitch).

*(If you were present when the esteemed departed Club stalwart used to simultaneously ingratiate and aggravate any Australian by calling them "my colonial friend", then you have had some cracking nights at the Club. 'Do you know who he was'!).

Following the Quarter Final success against Royston, we were given the disappointing news that the FINALS day would be held at Hertford (no presumption etc etc) as this meant there may be no opportunity for a bus trip. As such, as soon as we heard we were up against Pinner away for the Semi Final, Captain Gawthorne was straight onto the fun-bus organisation. Big matches require big preparation, and the team and a host of supporters assembled for the journey to North West London. Obviously we had some rugby to play, but Hollis had the guitar ready for the fun-bus-sing-a-long on the way home. Old men, small pleasures.

A familiar crew of Termites (Smarty was welcomed for his debut) were cheered on by the bus brigade and a conurbation of Club cognoscenti.

Hertford were quickly into their rhythm, with good controlled rugby down the middle and stretching the ball out to the wing where Hollis (eh, on the wing…) was on hand to squeeze, a lot of squeezing, in the corner.

This was followed by another try coming from an Albon kick. Instead of the usual massive boot, the ball ricocheted off the Pinner player high into the air for Smarty, only a few metres in front of the original kick, to collect the ball and burn round the Pinner defence.

Sillitoe scored from first phase possession on the Hertford 10 metre line, breaking through the attempted tackle and powering through from the half way line. Youth buddies Smart and Stacey were screaming for the pass, but there was no way he was letting go of the ball. The Smart-Stacey-Sillitoe triumvirate, who have played together for over 25 years, teamed up all afternoon to wreak havoc on the Pinner defence. Stacey went over out wide for a try, and then barrelled straight through someone when going around them actually looked easier for another try, and completed his hat trick in the second half with a poacher try from close range. Sillitoe also bagged a hat trick, but his first try was definitely the most memorable (in that there is no memory of the other two).

It was not all one way traffic. Pinner took a lot of stopping and their big runners gave our youngsters some great target practice. We missed a couple, but on the whole they were coming down. Harry Gawthorne led the defence, smashing the older and heavier attackers and stealing several balls.

As the first half was coming to a close, Pinner had their strongest spell and kept battering until their speedy fall back finally got the ball in space and jinked through to score. We definitely didn’t want the arm wrestle up front, and needed to get the ball out wide.

We got some additional impetus in the second half, with Verdin coming on at scrum half and showing his skill with the ball, as he enticed the forwards into action with his flat flat passes (Verdin is credited with a try). Hunter was on and continued his dynamism and attacking runs from the Quarter Final (he also scored). Anstead was also on in the second half after morning work duties, and chased and battled for everything. The second half started just as was needed, and some wise wide play resulted in a close ruck, and Baker being on hand to go over.

You may have wondered what had happened to try machine O'Leary. He began chasing the ball infield and into contact to get some more action, and this was rewarded with yet more tries for the speedster.

One downside for the afternoon and longer term was Mcatamney dislocating his shoulder – his good one this time. He has had a rubbish time with injuries only playing 2.5 games but having to pay full subs, and had been playing really well in the cup competition. Until next season.

The semi-final was won, and the Termites fun-bus was on a roll. The Pinner club house hosted some awards (Roe and Van Der Ryst were given player of the match and dick of the day, not necessarily in that order) and we were out for the night.

The Hollis serenaded bus made its merry way back to Hertford via many verses and a ginger sunset, followed by the Rattling (apparently its means splendid) Jenson. Still no idea what was going on – "Ho, ro, the rattlin' bog, The bog down in the valley-o. Real bog, the rattlin' bog, The bog down in the valley-o."

FINALS DAY on Saturday 27 April:
Termites on at 12.30 against Epping
Hoes on at 2.45 against Bishops Stortford

Stiffen the sinews and summon up the blood! Let's go.

Team: Ellis, Hollis, Airey, Church, Baker, Smart, H Gawthorne, Roe; O Gawthorne, Albon, O'Leary, McCutcheon, Sillitoe, Stacey, Mcatamney
Tag-teamers: Hunter, Anstead, Verdin, C Van Der Ryst, Offord

Tries: Stacey 3, Sillitoe 3, O'Leary 2, Smart, Baker, Verdin, Hunter