What a run of Cup games it has been over 4 successive scintillating April Saturdays resulting in a very hard won but well deserved trophy to go alongside the league success.

A huge amount of hard work has gone into this 'Invincible' unbeaten season for the Termites. The large squad of players have all contributed, especially those that have regularly turned out for Thursday 'training' throughout the season (even when we only managed 15 minutes of touch on the frozen ground – followed by the bar). From those ranks several players have got back on a 15 a side pitch for the first time in years and for some the first time ever. The squad has also benefited hugely from the late season impetus from the Colts and youngsters – a real legacy of the spirit of the Termites stated by Ant Irwin in the 1970s. The 20 players on the pitch on Saturday were just a representation of the wider squad. There is also a lot of work done behind to scenes to keeps all watered, fed, clean, warmish in the showers, and happy. Pulling all of this together has been Captain Gawthorne – the leader, the conductor, the fire starter. Appropriately he again took on the scrum half role in Roberts' continued absence without leave, and he drove the team into a fearsome battle with Epping.

The Termites were well prepared for the game, and after some consistency over the 4 Saturdays even knew some lineout calls. The cup run ever-presents provided a spine for the team: Hollis shoring up the front row, Baker and Church providing solidity and sense, H Gawthorne some vim, Albon das boot, and Anstead the backline verve. This continuity has been really important, and it was no surprise that Baker and Anstead ended up as the stars of the show with a hat-trick each.

The game started with a bang as the teams went out to test each other out. Epping had all the possession and most of the territory, and when Hertford did get the ball they relied on Albon to kick them back into the Epping half. This was proper probing rugby. As Epping returned a Hertford kick out wide, one of the props brought it forward and as Herford pressed up in defence he put through a delightful grubber behind Hertford which bounced up for the winger to run onto and score. The Epping prop assured us afterwards that this was not a surprise to his team.

7-0 to Epping and Hertford were in a final. Hertford knuckled down and went back to basics to try and assert themselves on the game. Those basics were to get some territory and then grind them down with some attritional forward. Not the prettiest, but very satisfying.

As Hertford applied pressure, the penalties began to rack up in their favour. Hertford repeatedly went for the scrum in the Epping 22 as they got the feeling that they could get on top. The combined beef of Airey, Hollis, and G Van Der Ryst is something to behold. After a series scrum penalties and resets the pack finally broke through. There is a feeling you get when you have got a scrum going backwards and you know you are going over. There was almost a JPesque roar of "we love scrummaging". It is a thing for purists, but pure joy. Roe steered from the back, and the Cadillac of a No 8 was able to enjoy the ride and score.

The forwards continued in this vein for most of the rest of the first half – keeping possession and squeezing Epping in the 22.

Douglas made a break out of his half and cantered through the Epping defence as Hertford set up near the try line. Hollis offered some width and went for another of his tries on the wing, but was remarkably held back by the Epping team. In any event, Baker was on hand to assess the situation and use his strength to go over from a ruck a couple of metres out. This eye for spotting an opportunity to score from a close ruck, and then to pull it off, is a very important skill and something that Baker has made his own this season – trade mark Baker. 12-7 to Hertford.

These were hard won points and advantages, and teamwork really came together for the next try as the impressive lineout secured yet more ball and the defensive maul melted away with Douglas giggling as he went over to score to make it 17-7.

Hertford still weren't letting the backline run with the ball, in part because Albon was taking a rest for a deliberate knock down but also as they sought to grind Epping down. Into the Epping 22 again and the pick-and-go was as adventurous as we got. Captain Gawthorne was yelling his men on, and then he took it down a channel he quickly regretted. It wasn’t quite cannon to right, cannon to the left, but he took a lot of artillery as he went into the valley of Epping forwards. He somehow made the yards and kept possession, and Baker (yes him again, trade mark) was on hand to finish it off. 22-7.

Just as Hertford were thinking of keeping it tight until half time after a lot of forward grunt work, the backs were put under pressure deep in Hertford's half. Romford, in for his first-ish game of the season but still as spritely as ever, took the ball on with real determination as Epping sniffed a possible turnover. The ball was protected and recycled by Holmes, and Albon saw some space deep in Epping's half to clear the danger. Anstead however did not see the massive punt as a defensive option – there is always a chance, and chase it the ever optimistic cocker spaniel did. The bounce did come right, and Anstead's football skills kicked in as he dribbled round the full back to score. The best way to finish the half, especially as this signalled that the Age of the Forwards was about to come to an end, and the Age of Expansiveness was about to start. In any event, lots of hard work had been done to make it 27-7 at half time.

There was a change around at half time. The giants of Hollis and Van Der Ryst made way. Jonny Hollis has had an immense season and has had a huge impact on the Termites with his return. Big G, the oldest player in the side, was awarded Termites Player of the Season and his efforts to get fit for the final paid off with the set piece dominance in the first half.

At the initial scrum of the second half the Epping front row said how pleased they were at the change (thank f for that), but where Offord and Ellis lack the pounds they still pack the punch. The Epping front row were not quite so grateful! Offord was again a leading light, and as the defensive duties built in the second half with some fresh Epping legs making lots of ground he, along with Douglas and H Gawthorne, were huge in defence. Holmes also took one on the eye to welcome him back to the game.

The first sign of the extra space and expansive play was shown by Hunter coming on in the pack. Another of the Colts, Hunter straight away showed his desire to run with the ball in space rather than the first half of pick-and-go forward play. This expansive and powerful running will get a lot more exposure, and is a great sign for his future development.

Hertford also moved things around in the backs with Alway moving from his glorious shows-and-goes at full back to the more restrained scrum half as Captain Gawthorne recuperated. Donovan was on in the back three, deploying his familiar wobbly leg skipping.

This expansionist policy also meant that the wingers were beginning to get a bit of ball in hand. O'Leary coming off his wing to get the action, and a great sweeping move that resulted with Airey and Anstead in a two on one. Airey, who frequently defies all prop based expectations, drew the final defender and put Anstead in for his second try. 32-7.

Hertford were soon into Epping territory again. McCutheon and H Gawthorne making breaks down the middle, before the big forwards took over to within 10 metres. With a settled backline and forwards ready to take it on, the sub bench all groaned when Albon went for one of his cross field kick passes. Albon had seen something that no-one (or at least no forwards) had seen apart from his winger – a patch of undefended space in the very far corner. Anstead was on hand to pluck the ball out of the air and score. Anstead had just scored the last three tries, with two kick assists from Albon. 37-7 (the kicking assists did not extend to conversions).

Epping's additional energy after half time had not yet had any rewards, but they did come through with some strong running and a try near the posts.

Things were getting a bit hairy as Epping got on top. But when in doubt give it to the forwards. Some lineouts in good positions, and Baker was back on with an eye for one of his trade mark 2 metre glory bundles. Biding his time, the chance came and Baker deservedly went over for his well earned hat-trick. 44-14.

Epping came back again to make it 44-21 and there were some calculations going on about when Hertford should start getting worried. In times of tension, it is always good to get some light relief, and mercurial Alway is often the one to provide it. This time, having lost momentum and going backwards in possession, Alway found a metre of space to attempt a drop goal from 25 metres out. Obviously no success, but enough to give everyone a laugh and play out the last few minutes of the game.

Sport is hard. Savour the victories when they came, as you never know how many more there will be. We hurt and we savoured. What a season.

The game was followed by an awards ceremony. With 4 finals taking place that afternoon, there were celebrations everywhere. These finals days are great and very reminiscent of minis and youth rugby. It is a superb way to finish off the season.

It was great to see the father-son combos celebrating together. Harry and Chris had come to watch their dads playing for the Termites to win the cup in 2017 (away at the Saracens amateur Bramley road ground), and 7 years later were leading the way with their dads. Both great players, and great progression.

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The Termites game was followed by the Hoes playing Bishops Stortford in a tough game that Stortford ended up winning.

This was then followed by the Players' end of season dinner.

The Termites Player of the Season was Gerry, a rock around whom the scrum and the Termites are formed and who makes rocks look like pebbles.

The Termites Most Improved Player was Ewan Thomas, and if he can grow into Gerry that would be something! More games, fewer injuries for next season.

Termites Supporters' Player of the Season was Jonny Hollis. Great balls of fire and fury on the pitch, and great balls of fire off it. Welcome back.

Club Team of the Year: The TERMITES. Course it was. Invincible, in the bar, intolerable. The trophy has got some character.

The Hoes Player of the Season was Alex Douglas. It's sometimes difficult to work out what team to allocate people to, but Alex has played more rugby this season than he has for years, putting in bigger tackles than he has ever done whilst still cavorting with the backs out wide.

The Hoes Most Improved Player was Josh Bullen. His first year out of Colts has been a cracker, getting experience from the 2s to the Termites, and playing his heart out every single time. Lovely pace and a terrier in defence.

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Final: Airey, Hollis, G Van Der Ryst, Church, Baker, Douglas, H Gawthorne, Roe; O Gawthorne, Albon, O'Leary, Holmes, McCutcheon, Anstead, Alway

Ists: Offord, Ellis, C Van Der Ryst, Hunter, Donovan

Tries: Anstead 3, Baker 3, Roe, Douglas

Conversions: Albon 2 out of 7