Herts Student Festival

Twas the Monday before Xmas… and the cream of the county’s young players flocked to Old Albanian RFC for the inaugural Herts Xmas Festival. Over 150 young players – a combination of students back for the holiday period, colts and younger players from the senior sides - representing eight clubs turned out for some festive fun. Playing ten minute matches with no penalties, the action was fast and furious.

Old Albanians and Bishops Stortford won their pools and in a tight final Bishop’s Stortford just edged the host club to become the first club to lift the Herts Returning Students trophy. Other awards during the evening went to Joe Brouder (Old Albanians) for Best Try, Alex Brookes (Welwyn) for Best Hit, and Francis Denny (Old Albanians) for Best Player.

The festival was organised by Peter Engledow, the Herts Rugby Development Officer, who said he was pleased with the response: ‘It’s all about keeping players involved with their clubs, particularly those that move away to attend college. This gave the guys a chance to meet old friends, play a bit of rugby and have a couple of beers – what better way to start the Xmas holidays!’

John Drew, President of the Herts RFU, was on hand to award the trophies and he was in no doubt that the Festival should be a permanent fixture in the Herts rugby calendar. He said: ‘We’ve seen some quality play here tonight and I’d like to congratulate all who made tonight’s festival go so well.’ There were county selectors present and, as MC Hardwick reminded the crowd, there was plenty to play for with the U20 County Championship, U23 fixtures and the senior County Championship Shield coming up.

The clubs taking part were Barnet, Bishop’s Stortford, Cheshunt, Fullerians, Harpenden, Hertford, Old Albanians (two sides) and Welwyn. Each club got a Gillette community rugby bag containing training balls, bibs and water bottles, courtesy of Apex Multisports and the Herts Sports Partnership. Thanks to OAs for hosting the event, and to the Herts Referees’ Society, whose refs put their fitness on the line!

Herts students invited home for Christmas rugby

Hertfordshire rugby clubs are encouraged to invite their student players back to represent them at the county's first Under 23 Student Club Rugby Festival this month.

Old Albanian RFC near St Albans is the venue on Monday December 22, 2008, with the accent on fun and social rugby but a serious message too as it allows clubs to stay in touch with players who have gone to college or university.

"The rugby will be 20-20 style and we are looking at 10 to 15-minutes games," said Peter Engledow, the RFU's Hertfordshire rugby development officer.

"This is a great way to bring back all the Herts players to the county and enjoy a super late afternoon and evening playing rugby and building friendships."

Organisers are hoping around 150 to 200 students take part on behalf of their clubs, and there will be scope for the county's smaller clubs to field combined teams if they are short of numbers on their own.

"The selectors of Herts' Under 20, U23 and senior sides will be there too, to spot some talent," said Engledow, "but most of all it is about playing with your mates and having a good time."

Food and drink will be on offer and Engledow is hopeful this will become an annual rugby festival for the county in support of the RFU's Play On campaign which aims to maintain and develop contact with rugby players in the 16 to 24 age group who may have moved away from home for work or further education. 

Clubs are asked to confirm their entry and nominate a key person who will be in charge of getting their players together.

Contact Peter Engledow on peterengledow@rfu.com or 07764 960407.

Hertfordshire Schools at Wembley

Nine schools teams from Hertfordshire took to the world famous Wembley Stadium turf last week as part of the rugby festival that was a unique curtain-raiser to Barbarians v Australia match.

Pupils from Francis Combe (Watford), Sir John Lawes (Harpenden), Sandringham (St Albans), Knights Templar (Baldock), Mount Grace (Potters Bar), The Priory (Hitchin), Fearnhill (Letchworth), Greneway School (Royston) and Wheatfields Junior School (St Albans) were among more than 1300 school children in the London North / Barbarians festival designed to generate interest among players either new or recently introduced to the game.

Some of the children met England flanker Joe Worsley at the end of a fast and fun day's action organised jointly by the RFU's London North development team and the Barbarians in which the teams played 10-a-side matches lasting 10 minutes each. Year 5 and 6 teams played Tag rugby, and Years 7 to 10 took part in the contact version with scrums and line-outs. 

All the schools teams, parents and supporters were able to stay on to watch the evening match which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Olympic rugby competition won by Australia at the London Games of 1908.

Hertfordshire A XV

The Hertfordshire A XV squad for their match against Middlesex County Clubs at Harrow RFC on Wednesday 19th November, kick off 7.30 pm is:

15	Colbourne O Ashmoleans	Hayden Cheshunt
14	Muskat Harpenden	Coy St Albans Reserve	DuPreez O Ashmoleans
13	Childs Harpenden	Lane St Albans
12	M. Thomas Tabard	Joubert St Albans
11	N Burger O Ashmoleans	Watt Datchworth
10	Reilly Tabard	O’Brien HH Reserve	Howard St Albans
9	Homan Harpenden	Murphy Tabard
8	Dronke O Ashmoleans	Harmse HH
7	Bailey HH	Stoba Tabard
6	Clark Cheshunt	S. Donnell Cheshunt
5	Sio Tabard	Holgate Datchworth
4	O’ Connor Tabard	Buckland O Ashmoleans
3	McDougal HH
2	Lemiere St Albans	Green HH
1	Jeffrey HH	Green St Albans Capt	HartDatchworth

Herts Players in Deaf Barbarians Squad

Hertfordshire have 2 players among the 14 England players in the Deaf Barbarians squad for their inaugural match against Wales at Pontypridd on Sunday November 23 (12 noon).

Both Josh Corcoran (Hartbury College and Hertford) and Ryan Arborn (Hitchin) have been selected as replacements for the match, which will help to mark the Wales Deaf Rugby Centenary. The Barbarians side has been selected by Lyndon James, secretary of the England Deaf RU, and Tony Stoyles the EDRU director of rugby.

The 14 England players have already been capped in Deaf Internationals and will use the Barbarians game for their post-Christmas internationals against Scotland and Wales.

Attempts are being made to encourage Ireland to establish a Deaf XV and the England Deaf RU are planning to visit to Dublin at the end of the season to play a demonstration match.

The Barbarians squad includes one Irishman in fullback Charlie James, who plays his club rugby at New Brighton, plus English-based players with bloodlines to other nationalities in Kris Mannering (Netherlands), David Steele (Australia), Ryan Arbon (Poland), Mark Lewis (New Zealand) and Truter Bothma (South Africa).

Lewis, of East Grinstead, will captain a Deaf Barbarians squad that also includes eight Scotland internationals.

The England Deaf team plays a series of international and representative matches home and away each season with players eligible to play if they have a combined average hearing loss of 25 decibels or more in both ears. This roughly translates to a minimum hearing loss in both ears or a moderate hearing loss in one ear. 

3 Herts Clubs make The National Finals

Three Hertforshire Clubs have qualified for the Finals of the National Rugby Clubs Golf Championship, which is organised by the Wooden Spoon.

The Regional Final was held at John O'Gaunt Golf Club, Sandy, Beds, on Monday 19th September with 12 clubs taking part. The club teams consisted of teams of four in pairings. Each pair playing with pairs from another club, the combined scores of the two pairs gave the total score. Hemel Hempstead came out the days winners with Barnet Elizabethans coming second followed by The Civil Service and Bishop's Stortford. All four clubs go through to the National Final at Walton Heath Golf Club on Friday 17th October.

Experimental Law Variations

On Wednesday 2nd July 81 stalwart Club Coaches and Referees assembled at the University of Hertfordshire for the first unveiling of the RFU interpretations of the new Experimental Law Variations (ELV’s) that come into effect on 1st August.

The speaker was David Rose – Premiership Referee and Midland Referee Development Manager.

Future opportunities to hear about the ELV’s will be at 7.30 on Monday 14th July at Welwyn RFC for Teachers and Junior age group coaches and again at 7.30 on Thursday 14th August at the University of Hertfordshire for referees and Coaches in the adult game when the speaker will be Alan Biggs Midlands Referee Development Officer and Premiership Touch Judge – oops sorry “Assistant Referee!!”.

Full details of the ELV’s are available on the IRB web site

Oxfordshire Preview

Hertfordshire take on Oxfordshire in their last pool match of this season's RFU County Championship Shield competition at Old Albanian RFC on Saturday, May 17th, kick off 3.00 pm

Following last weeks impressive win over Cornwall, Herts are confident of maintaining their place in the Shield for next season, but they would require a large win over their visitors and Cornish win by the smallest of margins over Eastern Counties to have any chance of winning the group.

The Current table is:

P W L Pts Diff Ch Pts

Eastern Counties 2 2 0 +14 4

Cornwall 2 1 1 +53 2

Hertfordshire 2 1 1 - 5 2

Oxfordshire 2 0 2 - 62 0

The Hertfordshire side selected for Saturday is:

Kieron Davies (Ampthill); Ian Crompton (Stevenage Town), Jon Child (Welwyn), Ray Adde (Hemel Hempstead), Nico Burger (Old Ashmoleans); Richard Gregg (Old Albanian (Capt), Ryan de la Harpe (Letchworth); Ryan Long (Tabard), Tavita Faamausili (Stevenage Town), Jim Remfry (Caldy), Peter Coke (Hertford), Robert Dumbleton (Harpenden), Alfie Church (Hertford), Chris Rainbow (Newbury), Ian Hardcastle (Westcombe Park)

Replacements: Paul Welch (Hertford), Handre Schmidt (Hertford), Mark Evans (Old Albanian), Brent Lemiere (St Albans), Adam Gelman (Old Albanian), Gareth Davies (Tabard), Peter Streinberg (Letchworth)

Cornwall ready to end away day blues

Cornwall will be seeking their first away win in three years when they play Hertfordshire at Hertford on Saturday (3.00 pm) in game two in this season's County Shield.

It was May 2005 when the Duchy's senior team last triumphed on the road with an 18-15 success over Gloucestershire at Lydney, though they did manage a 22-22 draw against Oxfordshire at Chinnor last season.

Cornwall could not have got their campaign off to a much better start last weekend when they crushed Oxfordshire 66-8 at Redruth, and new captain Josh Lord believes it sets them up nicely to put an end to their disappointing away record.

"It is a tougher proposition going away than it is playing in front of your home crowd, but I think we have got the players to do it," said the Cornish All Blacks flanker. Everybody is really determined and focused this year. We have got the goal that we want to get to the final at Twickenham and win and everybody has bought into that. It maybe a little harder next week, but we know we can do it."

Any fears of complacency setting in should be dispelled by painful memories of a visit to the same venue two seasons ago, when Hertfordshire pulled off a stunning 31-27 victory against a strong Cornwall side coached then by Chris Brown, Nigel Hambly and Jim McKay.

The Hertfordshire selectors have made a number of changes from the side that lost to eastern Counties last Saturday. The team selected for Saturday is:

Kieron Davies (Ampthill); Ian Crompton (Stevenage Town), Jon Child (Welwyn), Ray Adde (Hemel Hempstead), Mark Evans (Old Albanian; Richard Gregg (Old Albanian), Ryan de la Harpe (Letchworth); Ryan Long (Tabard), Tavita Faamausili (Stevenage Town), Simon Carter (Newbury), Adam Amos (Stevenage Town), Robert Dumbleton (Harpenden), Alfie Church (Hertford), Ian Hardcastle (Westcombe Park), Dave Archer (Henley Hawks). (Capt).

Replacements: Toby Prescott (Tring), Paul Welch (Hertford), Adam Gelman (Old Albanian), Matt Cross (Nuneaton), Jim Remfry (Caldy), Billy Johnson (Hertford), Gareth Davies (Tabard).

John Creasey

We regret to inform you that Hertfordshire Life Member, John Creasey, passed away on 24th April.

During his long career in rugby John represented Hertfordshire five times in the County Championship and served as a county selector from 1981 to 1984.

However, John was best known for his career at Old Hertfordians and Hertford RFCs. After a distinguished playing career he served the club as President for 21 years and was President Emeritus at the time of his death.

He also had a high reputation as a speaker on the after Dinner circuit, where he was involved in many charitable fund raising activities.

The funeral service will be at All Saints Church, Hertford on Monday 12th May at 11.30 am and all friends are welcomed to Hertford Rugby Club afterwards.

Our deep sympathy goes to his partner Penny, children Edward, Mary and Lucy and grandchildren Marlie and Joe.

Herts Team v Eastern Counties

County Championship Team News

Hertfordshire play Eastern Counties at West Norfolk RFC, near Kings Lynn, on Saturday in the opening match in this season's County Championship Shield competition - kick off 3.00 pm. The team selected is as follows:

Tom Newton (Tring); Ian Crompton (Stevenage Town), Jon Child (Welwyn), Ray Adde (Hemel Hempstead), Mark Mansfield (Old Albanian); Richard Gregg (Old Albanian), Toby Prescott (Tring); Ryan Long (Tabard), Tavita Faamausili (Stevenage Town), Jim Remfry (Caldy), Adam Amos (Stevenage Town), Rob Dumbleton (Harpenden), Ian Hardcastle (Westcombe Park), Chris Rainbow (Newbury), Dave Archer (Henley Hawks) (Capt).

Replacements: Ryan de la Harpe (Letchworth), Ross Willoughby (Hemel Hempstead), Richard Woodard (Tabard), Brent Lemiere (St Albans), Luke Hardwicke (Hertford), Alfie Church (Hertford), Tom Mowbray (Tring)CORNWALL READY TO END AWAY DAY BLUES

Cornwall will be seeking their first away win in three years when they play Hertfordshire at Hertford on Saturday (3.00 pm) in game two in this season's County Shield.

It was May 2005 when the Duchy's senior team last triumphed on the road with an 18-15 success over Gloucestershire at Lydney, though they did manage a 22-22 draw against Oxfordshire at Chinnor last season.

Cornwall could not have got their campaign off to a much better start last weekend when they crushed Oxfordshire 66-8 at Redruth, and new captain Josh Lord believes it sets them up nicely to put an end to their disappointing away record.

"It is a tougher proposition going away than it is playing in front of your home crowd, but I think we have got the players to do it," said the Cornish All Blacks flanker. Everybody is really determined and focused this year. We have got the goal that we want to get to the final at Twickenham and win and everybody has bought into that. It maybe a little harder next week, but we know we can do it."

Any fears of complacency setting in should be dispelled by painful memories of a visit to the same venue two seasons ago, when Hertfordshire pulled off a stunning 31-27 victory against a strong Cornwall side coached then by Chris Brown, Nigel Hambly and Jim McKay.

The Hertfordshire selectors have made a number of changes from the side that lost to eastern Counties last Saturday. The team selected for Saturday is:

Kieron Davies (Ampthill); Ian Crompton (Stevenage Town), Jon Child (Welwyn), Ray Adde (Hemel Hempstead), Mark Evans (Old Albanian; Richard Gregg (Old Albanian), Ryan de la Harpe (Letchworth); Ryan Long (Tabard), Tavita Faamausili (Stevenage Town), Simon Carter (Newbury), Adam Amos (Stevenage Town), Robert Dumbleton (Harpenden), Alfie Church (Hertford), Ian Hardcastle (Westcombe Park), Dave Archer (Henley Hawks). (Capt).

Replacements: Toby Prescott (Tring), Paul Welch (Hertford), Adam Gelman (Old Albanian), Matt Cross (Nuneaton), Jim Remfry (Caldy), Billy Johnson (Hertford), Gareth Davies (Tabard).

John Macfarlane

Hertfordshire Rugby Union regrets to announce of the death of John Macfarlane, Past President and Life Member of Hertfordshire RFU, on Monday, 22nd April.

John was President of the County from 1986 to 1988 and served on the County General Committee and Executive Committee for many years. He was a Barnet man through and through and was President of Barnet RFC for a number of years.

The funeral will take place at 12.30 pm on Friday 2nd May at Monken Hadley Church, (between Hadley Common and Hadley Green), Barnet, followed by a private cremation and after at the West Lodge Park Hotel.

Our thoughts are with Gill and all the Macfarlane family at this time.

County Championship Preparations

As part of Hertfordshire's preparations for this season's County Championship, the County will host Crawshay's Welsh XV on Sunday, 27th April in what should be a testing warm up match. The match will also honour the memory of Vivian Jenkins, the former Welsh International, who lived his later years in Harpenden. Vivian was a Life Member of Hertfordshire RFU and was also President of Crawshay's Welsh XV at the time of his death. The match will be played at Old Albanian RFC, kick off 2.30 pm.

Last Monday (14th April) Hertfordshire hosted Henley Hawks in a warm up match at Hoe Lane, Hertford. The home side put in a very encouraging performance, although they lost by one point to an injury time penalty - 12 - 13. Their forwards put in a particularly good display against a strong Henley side that included the Herts skipper, Dave Archer, in their back row.

A try by flanker Craig Bailey (Hemel Hempstead), converted by Richard Gregg (Old Albanian) gave Herts an early lead, but Henley replied with a try 10 min before half time. Half way through the second half, full back Peter Fermse (Hemel Hempstead) increased the home leads with a try. However, Henley cut the lead to two points with a try and then elected to kick a penalty in injury time to win the game by one point.

The selectors hope that this match and the Crawshay's match, plus regular training sessions, will produce a good squad for the County Championship Shield campaign which starts on May 3rd with an away fixture against Eastern Counties @ West Norfolk RFC. The following two Saturdays, Herts will entertain Cornwall and Oxfordshire at Hertford and Old Albanian respectively.

Herts Team v Henley Hawks: Peter Fermse (Hemel Hempstead); Ian Crompton (Stevenage Town), Jon Child (Welwyn), Paul Welch (Hertford), Mark Evans (Old Albanian); Richard Gregg (Old Albanian), Toby Prescott (Tring); Ryan Long (Tabard), Matt Cross (Loughborough Coll), Neil Bamber (Stevenage Town), Adam Amos (Stevenage Town), Peter Coke (Hertford), Phil Pearson (Stevenage Town), Craig Bailey (Hemel Hempstead), Billy Johnson (Hertford)

Replacements (all used): Tony Giddings (St Albans), Luke Hardwicke (Hertford)

Middlesex U23 v Hertfordshire U23

@ Harrow RFC

Wednesday, 16th April. KO 7.30pm

Hertfordshire Squad: Henry Robinson (Letchworth), Adam Shaw (Ampthill), Tim Gray (Letchworth), Greg Bezzer (Fullerians), Jack Reilly (Tabard), Sam Clapham (Tring), Ollie Forrest (Hertford), Kyle Lemon (Stevenage Town), Elliot Birkbeck (Old Northamptonians).

Paul Brown (Bishop's Stortford), Ben Solez (Welwyn), Will Freestone (Welwyn), James Costen (Old Albanian), Aaron MacDougall (Hemel Hempstead), Matt Gibbs (Hemel Hempstead), Craig South (Hertford), Gareth Briggenshaw (Tring), Tom Mellor (Bedford), Nick Panton (Hitchin), Tom Jankowski (Welwyn), Ian Bailey (Hemel Hempstead), Rick Streets (Letchworth)

Herts Stags Play Kent for a "Jason Leonard and London & SE Trophy"

Herts Stags will play Kent U20s for a "Jason Leonard and London & SE Trophy" on Sunday, March 30th as part of a day of age-group rugby, to which Jason Leonard, RFU Council National Member and former England prop, has leant his name.

The highlight of the day is the Hampshire and Middlesex play off at the Army Stadium in Aldershot for the right to represent London & South East in the semi-finals of the National Under 20 Championship.

The two counties won their respective round-robin pools between January 27 and March 2. The winners of their play-off final will be rewarded with an away tie against the qualifiers from the South West on the weekend of April 19/20.

The second-, third- and fourth-placed teams from the group stage were each due to play off for a trophy named after Leonard, although Surrey have withdrawn from the competition and will not be facing Sussex as intended.

That leaves matches on Sunday between the Army and Essex (Stadium pitch, 12pm) and Hertfordshire and Kent (Queens Road Pitch, 1.15pm), each for the ‘Jason Leonard and London & SE Trophy’.

The Stags team for Sunday is:

Henry Robinson (Letchworth); Kyle Lemon (Stevenage Town), Carling Colfer (Old Albanian), Joe Weston (Saracens Amateurs), Kris Cottendon (Letchworth); Zak Vinnicombe (Fullerians), Elliot Birkbeck (Old Northamptonians); Sam England (Old Albanian), Tom Haller (Old Albanian) (capt), Ollie Day (Bishop's Stortford), Pieter Frisch (Hitchin), Jamie Molloy (Fullerians), Miles Dempsey (Fullerians), Tom Mellor (Bedford), Tom Jankowski (Welwyn)

Replacements: Joe Frewin (Fullerians), Barry Mellor (Letchworth), Sean Mcginnty (Hitchin), Sean Hughes (Saracens Amateurs), Brad Martin (Saracens Amateurs), Tom Sadler (Saracens Amateurs)

Tabard - Seal of Approval Club of Year

In August 2006 Tabard RFC gained the RFU Seal of Approval in record time! The Club Development Group enthusiastically embraced the challenges ahead and spearheaded many changes to bring new young players into the club. These changes have not only resulted in an influx of new players at lower levels, but has necessitated the training of new coaches, which in turn has enabled the club to apply for funding and offer rugby coaching to schools, colleges and youth groups, starting after school rugby clubs as well as running skills days during half terms.

Being awarded London North Region, Seal of Approval Club of the Year for 2008 is a huge honour. Both club chairmen, Ross Hopcroft, for the Seniors and, Laura-Jo Pearce, Mini and Youth Chairman are thrilled that all the hard work of the CDG team is being recognised nationally. This prestigious award will help the club to drive up standards and continue with its ambitious development programme to bring rugby to the community and the community to rugby.

Farrell Captains England

Owen Farrell (Hertfordshire & St George's, Harpenden) in his second season in the England U 16 team captained the side in the opening match of the Four Nations Tournament in France. Unfortunately England went down by the narrow margin of one point, 13-12, to Wales U16s, their first defeat at this level since 2003.

England's first try came when fly half George Ford, son of the England defence coach Mike, combined with his inside centre and captain Owen Farrell who delivered a double miss pass to Edgerley who scored in the corner. Although England went on to lead 12-3 at half time, Wales fought back and a late penalty just won the match for Wales.

Hertfordshire Stags v The Army

The Stags team to play The Army U20s in the final pool match of the RFU U20s National Championship at Hertford RFC on Sunday, March 2nd - ko 3.00pm - is:

Henry Robinson (Letchworth); Kyle Lemon (Stevenage Town), Carling Colfer (Old Albanian), Joe Weston (Saracens Amateurs), Tom Johnson (Oakland’s College); Zak Vinnicombe (Saracens Amateurs), Elliot Birckbeck (Old Northamptonians); Paul Brown (Bishop’s Stortford), James Coston (Old Albanian) (Captain), Ollie Day (Bishop’s Stortford), Jamie Molloy (Fullerians), James Alford (Letchworth), Miles Dempsey (Fullerians), Andy Byrne (Old Albanian), Tom Jankowski (Welwyn)

Replacements: Roger Williams (Old Albanian), Tom Haller (Old Albanian), Chris Johnson (Old Albanian), Sean Hughes (Saracens Amateurs), Sean Flatman (Letchworth), Brad Martin (Saracens Amateurs), Tom Sadler (Saracens Amateurs)

Herts Stags v Sussex

The Herts Stags team to play Sussex U20s at Chichester RFC on Sunday 17th February, kick off 2.15pm is:

Henry Robinson (Letchworth); Joe Oyesiku (Finchley), Carling Colfer (Old Albanian), Joe Weston (Saracens Amateurs), Tom Johnson (Oaklands College); Zak Vinnicombe (Saracens Amateurs),

Elliot Birckbeck (Old Northamptonians); Andy Clark (Old Albanian), James Coston (Old Albanian) (Capt), Ollie Day (Bishop's Stortford), Frankie Fenwick Wilson (Oaklands College), Jamie Molloy (Fullerians), James Alford (Letchworth), James Rawlinson (Saracens Amateurs), Tom Jankowski (Welwyn).

Replacements: Roger Williams (Old Albanian), Tom Haller (Old Albanian), Joe Frewin (Fullerians), Miles Dempsey (Fullerians), Brad Martin (Saracens Amateurs), Rob Smith (Old Albanian), Tom Sadler (Saracens Amateurs)

John Fuller

Hertfordshire Rugby Football Union regrets to announce that Past President, John Fuller, died on Tuesday, 12th February after a short illness.

John was President of the County from 1982 -to 1984, as well a serving the County in many other capacities. John had been a prominent member of Old Elizabethans RFC, Phoenix Gas RFC and Barnet Elizabethans RFC during his long rugby career, as well as being a founder member of the Hertfordshire Referees Society.

Details of the funeral arrangements are expected to be known in the next few days.

Our thoughts are with Francis and their only son David.

Stags Squad for Hampshire

NATIONAL UNDER-20S READY TO KICK OFF

This season’s National Under-20 Championship kicks off in London & South East with four matches on Sunday January 27.

Hertfordshire Stags' opening match is against Hampshire at Winchester RFC, ko 2.15pm and they have selected the following squad for the match.

1. Paul Brown, Bishop Stortford

2. Joe Coston, Old Albanians

3. Ollie Day, Bishop Stortford

4. Craig South, Hertford

5. Miles Dempsey Fullerians

6. Neil Mckinnon, Old Albanians

7. Michael Winters, Hertford

8. Sean Flatman, Letchworth

9. Elliot Birkbeck, Northampton

10. Tom Sadler, Saracens Amateurs

11. Tom Johnson, Oakland’s College

12. Joe Weston, Saracens Amateurs

13. Carling Colfer, Old Albanians

14. Francis Denny, Old Albanians

15. Henry Robinson, Letchworth

16. Sam England, Old Albanians

17. Tom Haller, Old Albanians

18 Joe Frewin, Fullerians

20 Jamie Molly

21 Zak Vinnicombe, Fullerians

22 Joe Oyesiku, Finchley

The London & South East’s seven county teams plus the Army’s Under-20s are split into two regional groups of four teams, each playing the other once within the group.

Hertfordshire is in Region B and the other match in that group is Sussex v The Army at Aldershot. In Region A, Surrey take on Kent at Dorking RFC, and Middlesex host Essex at West London RFC.

The winners of regions A and B will then play off to be crowned as the Divisional Champions. In addition, the second, third and fourth placed teams also play off against each other. All these matches will be played on March 30 at the Army Stadium, Aldershot.

The Divisional Champions go forward to the national semi-finals. Yorkshire are the defending National Under-20 champions, having beaten Devon in the final at Twickenham last May.

The various Under-20 squads have been busy with warm-up fixtures. Hertfordshire Stags picked up useful experience against older sides in an Old Albanians Development Squad and the county Under-23s.

Hertfordshire's Championship fixtures 2007-08:

London & South East Region B

January 27

Hampshire U20 v Hertfordshire U20 (Winchester RFC)

February 17

Sussex U20 v Hertfordshire U20 (Chichester RFC)

March 2

Hertfordshire U20 v Army U20 (Hertford RFC)

Two Hertfordshire Men to Coach England Saxons

Steve Bates and Simon Hardy, two familiar faces in Hertfordshire rugby, form part of this year’s England Saxons coaching team for the 2008 shadow Six Nations competition. Newcastle Falcons coach Steve Bates will be head coach and he will be joined by the RFU’s National Academy coaches Graham Rowntree and Simon Hardy.

As a scrum half Steve Bates enjoyed a long and successful career alongside Rob Andrew at London Wasps, during which time he played 11 County Championship matches for Hertfordshire. He won one England cap against Romania in Bucharest in the summer of 1989 and toured South Africa with England in 1994.

He moved north to take up a coaching role with Newcastle Falcons in 1995 and was the club’s head coach until 2003, leaving to take over as director of rugby at Borders, who he led into the Heineken Cup.

Steve went on to coach Scotland A at the Barclays Churchill Cup in 2006, where they beat England Saxons 13-7 in Toronto, before returning to Kingston Park as Coaching and Technical Director in the summer of 2007.

As a teacher at Lord Wandsworth College in Hampshire, he was instrumental in the development of the young Jonny Wilkinson, who joined the Falcons on his recommendation in 1997.

Simon Hardy is a World Cup winner with England, having been the specialist lineout coach for 81 Tests, including the Six Nations winning sides of 2000 and 2001 and a memorable 2003 when they won a Grand Slam, beat New Zealand and Australia Down Under and then returned to Sydney to lift the Webb Ellis Cup. In his specialist capacity, he also worked with the England team in advance of last year’s 2007 Rugby World Cup.

A hooker for Saracens, Wasps and England U23 before his playing career was ended by injury, the Loughborough University graduate joined the Rugby Football Union as Youth Development Officer for Hertfordshire in 1990. He became South West Technical Administrator two years later and was National Coach Development Manager between 1994 and 1999. He joined England part-time before the 1999 World Cup, going full-time in 2000.

As one of the RFU’s National Academy Coaches, he works as a coach and mentor with England’s up and coming players.

This will be his second stint with England Saxons, having been part of the successful 2006 Churchill Cup coaching team.

The England Saxons will play two fixtures against Ireland A at Welford Road on Friday 1 February (kick off 7.45pm) and Italy A in Sicily on Saturday 9 February (kick off 6.15pm local time).

Herts Stags Prepare for Championship

For this season's RFU U20 Championship, the London and South East division is split into two groups of four with each county playing the others in their group. Hertfordshire Stags (under 20s side) are in Group B which means they play the following group games.

Away to Hampshire on Sunday 27th January at Winchester Rugby Club, North Walls Park, off Nuns Road, Winchester, Hants. SO23 7EF kick off 2.15

Away to Sussex on Sunday 17th February at Chichester Rugby Club, Oaklands Park, Wellington Road, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 6BB kick off 2.15

Home to the Army on Sunday 2nd March at Hertford Rugby Club kick off 2.15.

The winners of each group then play off to be crowned as the Divisional Champions. In addition the second third and fourth placed also play off against each other. These games will all be played on 30th March at the Army Stadium at Aldershot. The match between the group winners is also the quarter final match for the main championship.

The winner of the division then play the semi final on the weekend of 10th/11th May and it will be against the winners of the South West division. The final is on Saturday 24th May at Twickenham.

The team, under lead coach Dave Phillips, has had two warm up matches against Old Albanians Development Squad and the county under 23 side. Although they lost both games against sides older than them they showed enough good points for us to look forward with confidence to the championship matches.