Hertford strength takes Toll on Dartfordians
In bright, sunny conditions south of the river, all players (and their boots) were present for this fixture with Dartfordians, a team we first met on tour in Great Yarmouth .

Hertford kick off straight into touch. Not a great start, but the ball was quickly won back and passed through the backs to release Ben for the first try. After the re-start, Woody crossed the whitewash to make it two. Then the first scrum of the match and the Hertford pack put a great shove on; Harry scored the third after a delayed pass from Owen sucked in a defender.

So, at 3-0 down in five blistering minutes, Dartfordians huddled to reconsider their strategy. Another re-start, the action was so fast and furious that the match reporter’s pen was starting to smoke. Great line speed from the backs, Harry with a kick and sidestep to recycle the ball for a try by Olly.

The backs got into gear passing the ball across the pitch twice before Ted crossed to make it five.
Then a rare mistake from Hertford at the kick-off as the ball failed to make it ten metres, scrum on halfway.

Dartford win a penalty, Hertford turn the ball over with great pressure and this point they capitalised on a bunched defence with a six-man overlap, Ben took the points with his second try of the day.
The Hertford scrum was strong throughout this match, and the whole team’s defensive efforts kept Dartford out of the 22 for the entire first half. Hertford altered their attack just before halftime, when Jason, picked the ball from the back of a ruck and flew up the line to score Hertford’s seventh unanswered try.
HALF TIME: 0-7
Hertford come out of the blocks again, Freddie making a 60m run through the defence, and then the team hold onto the territory by pinning Dartfordians back on their own 22. Following a penalty for offside, Dartfordians clear their lines, dropping the ball in behind Hertford’s fullback. It was recovered well by Harry and run back to halfway into traffic. A great break by Max at this point with a strong 30m run.

Following another strong Hertford scrum, the forwards were working hard all day, and the ball was worked left through backs and Freddie supplied Hertford’s eighth try.

Finn’s no-look pass deserves a special mention, as the ball is patiently recycled through the phases; Paul takes the ball in for another 5 points.

For this restart, Dartfordians opt for Hertford to kick off, and they put pressure on the receiver and forced an error. Hertford begin to lose some shape in the excitement, so Coach Robbie delivers clear instructions from the touchline, “width, width, width!”

Another dominant passage of play sees Hertford use a 3-man overlap and the ball gets to Owen for a try to take Hertford into double figures.

No sign of Ds giving up through, the heads are up and they continue to play with heart, Hertford are starting to enjoy the game, trying longer kicks. Hertford capitalise on a loose ball in the scrum, great line speed from Joseph, ball worked though the hands, 40m run by Olly, slick off-load to Isaac for another Hertford score. The final points of the game were scored with an elegant swan-dive by Tommy
FULL TIME: Dartfordians 0-11 Hertford Bs
This match was a chance for Hertford to show their varied attacks, good pressure in defence and great hands. Both teams showed they can play with the rugby values (TREDS). The opposition awarded the man-of-the-match to Mad Dog.

Mark Evison