County finals 2009

At OMT's (Old Merchant Taylors) Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, 27th April 2009:

County Colts Final

Bishop's Stortford 31 Old Albanians 10 (photos)

President's Trophy Final

Datchworth 13 Old Ashmoleans 16 (photos)

Photos are courtesy of Digital Sports UK

Colts News

RFU National Colts Cup

Congratulations to Old Albanian Colts on reaching the Final of the Competition. They beat Colchester last Sunday and will play Hinckley at Northampton Saints on Monday 4th May, kick off 3.00 pm.

Hertfordshire Colts Cup and Shield

The success of a number of Hertfordshire Clubs in the National Colts Cup or Plate, including that of Old Albanians, coupled with the impact of the frosty weather earlier in the year has resulted in a fixture backlog in both Cup and Shield. Although Bishop's Stortford and Datchworth have reached their respective finals, the other semi final in each competition has not been played. It has proved impossible to play them over the Easter holiday, so reluctantly the final of each Competition will be postponed. The outstanding semi finals - Old Albanian v Hertford (Cup) and Fullerians v Harpenden (Shield) - will now be played on Sunday 19th April.

The dates and locations for the finals will be announced as soon as practicable.

Presidents Cup Final: Photostream

Click here for photostream

Stevenage Town Player in England Deaf Squad

ENGLAND have included Stevenage Town lock forward Ryan Arbon amongst ten new caps in their squad for their Deaf International against Wales at Pontypridd on Saturday March 21 (1.30 pm).

England will be without some experienced players including Josh Corcoran (Hertford and Hartpury College) because of injuries, but they have called up ten players, including Ryan Arbon, who are in line to win their first caps.

This will be the seventh Deaf International between England and Wales and England will be seeking only their second victory having been trounced 66-7 at Broadstreet last season.

The English Deaf Rugby Union has continued to recruit new players to the England squad by raising awareness of the minimum hearing impairment required to qualify.

Players are eligible to play for the England Deaf side if they have a combined average hearing loss of 25dB or more in both ears. This roughly translates to a minimum hearing loss in both ears or a moderate hearing loss in one ear but with normal hearing in the other.

HSBC Emerging Schools Hertfordshire County Finals

15 schools were represented at the finals of the Hertfordshire HSBC Emerging Schools Finals held at the superb facilities of St Albans School on Friday 13^th March. In total there were 20 teams and 292 players aged between 11 and 14 playing for the right to represent Hertfordshire in the Regional Finals of this national competition which culminates with a final at Twickenham. 

Rob Hardwick, Chairman of Youth Rugby in Hertforshire was impressed with the standard of rugby which was very high this year. Rob commented that it was an endorsement of the huge effort put in by PE staff and Hertfordshire Community Rugby team over the last few years to raise standards at emerging rugby playing schools. 

In the end, the winners in each category were as follows: 

• Year 7 Shield: Winners – Sandringham, St Albans.

• Year 7 Trophy Winners – St Clement Dane, Chorleywood.

• Year 8 Shield Winners – Sheredes, Hoddesdon.

• Year 9 Trophy Winners – Nicholas Breakspear, St Albans.

• Year 9 Shield Winners – St Michaels, Watford.

With the emphasis on development of rugby in schools, the refereeing duties were undertaken by 6^th form students from Richard Hale school who performed superbly

Herts RFU Annual Members Dinner, 5th March, at Mid-Herts Golf Club, Wheathampstead

Once again we returned to Mid-Herts GC to hold our Annual Members Dinner which this year broke all records with 117 attendees with 14 clubs being represented. John Drew our President hosted the evening with Mark Elliott once again doing a stalwart job as MC and kept us all on our toes. John kept us informed of the successes in our playing sides so far this season and also that of our clubs. He welcomed our guests and in particular John Owen Senior Vice President of The RFU on his return to Hertfordshire and also our guest speaker Eddie Jones, Director of Rugby for Saracens, and past Manager of Australia RU. In addition a warm welcome and grateful thanks was given to our county sponsors Weston Homes Plc for their continued support throughout Herts.

Two recipients for awards this year were:
Jamie George, Haileybury College and Saracens: A tankard for playing for England U18s in 6 Nations Tournament 2007-08 and in Argentina summer 2008 and also the Morrie Morris Trophy for services to Hertfordshire Schools Rugby

Owen Farrell, St George's School & Harpenden: Two tankards - One for playing for England U16s against Wales, France and Italy in 2006-07; One for playing for and captaining England U16s against Wales, Italy and France in 2007-08. He also played for England U18s in Argentina summer 2008

John Owen presented both players with these following a short response on behalf of the guests which gave us another insight into what was happening at HQ.

Eddie Jones kept us alert with interesting comments from an outsiders point of view regarding rugby in England as well as the national side and the pressures that the top level players are constantly under nowadays. He ended up with a question and answer session which brought some very valid participation from his eager audience and honest and from the heart answers.

A superb meal, good company and flowing wine meant that this was another great event enjoyed by all.

Photographs from the dinner

Stags Move Again

The Hertfordshire Stags Match against The Army U20 on Sunday, 15th February has been moved for a second time due to the effects of the winter weather. With the pitches at both Harpenden and Bishop's Stortford out of action, the RFU U20 National Championship match will now be held at Tabard RFC, kick off 2.15pm

The Stags team selected for the match is:

15 Full back Henry ROBINSON Letchworth

14 Wing A N OTHER

13 Centre Kyle LEMON Stevenage Town

12 Centre Brad MARTIN Saracens Amateurs

11 Wing Rob RICHARDSON Bedford Academy

10 Fly half Stuart SMART Hertford

9 Scrum half Elliot BIRCKBECK Old Northamptonians

1 Prop Rob SCHILLACI Hertford

2 Hooker Mike SKINNER Bedford Academy

3 Prop Ross MEALING Letchworth

4 Lock James DORAN Old Albanian

5 Lock Sam BARROW Tabard

6 Flanker Miles DEMPSEY Fullerians

7 Flanker Joe COLLINS Tring

8 No 8 Tom JANKOWSKI Welwyn (Capt)

Replacements:

16 San FARENDEN Hertford

17 Steve DURNING Hertford

18 Sean McGINTY Hitchin

19 Alex LENNON Letchworth

20 Matt CHAMBERS Bishop's Stortford

21 Liam CHENNELS Tring

22 Jack TREDGET Letchworth

Hertfordshire Stags v Middlesex U20 Postponed

Unfortunately the weather has again disrupted the Stags RFU U20 National Championship programme.

Following the postponement of their match against Kent, the Stags game against Middlesex, scheduled to take place at Tabard RFC on Sunday 8th February, has been postponed due the severe winter weather.

The Stags’ next match is on Sunday, February 15th, against The Army U20 at Harpenden RFC. Kick off 2.15 pm

Eddie Jones to speak at Members' Dinner

Hertfordshire Rugby Football Union

Dear Club Secretaries, Club Chairman, Club Committee Members, HRFU

Members, Players, Supporters and Friend of Herts Rugby

Annual Dinner- Thursday 5th March 2009

Once again it is time to book tickets for yourself, partner and friends at the Annual Dinner of The Hertfordshire RFU.

Following the great success of last year’s dinner we are delighted to have been able to book again the Mid-Herts Golf Club, Gustard Wood, Wheathampstead for the occasion. Wives and partners are especially welcome, aperitifs are from 7.15pm with Dinner commencing at 8.00pm.

We are delighted and honoured to have as our guest speaker Eddie Jones, Director of Rugby for Saracens. Eddie is a highly respected international coach with immense experience of the game not only here in the UK but also from his homeland of Australia and the southern hemisphere in general.

In addition John Owen, Senior Vice President of The RFU, has agreed to be our guest, we look forward to giving him yet another memorable evening with Herts Rugby.

The ticket price has remained the same as last year at £35 per head. Once again we will be under the control of our very own MC, Mark Elliott, so please do try and make this special evening.

Please return your ticket request to John Atkinson complete with your cheques, made payable to Herts RFU as soon as possible, but latest by Friday 27th February

We look forward to seeing you.

John Drew, President.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Please return to;

John Atkinson, 86 Winterscroft Rd, Hoddesdon, Herts EN11 8RJ

Tel: 01992 462206 e-mail: tony.edlin@btconnect.com

I/We will be attending

Please supply ……. Tickets, payment enclosed £ ………………

[Please provide a list of guests for seating arrangements]

I will require a vegetarian meal

{Please Print}

Name: ……………………………………………………………………………..

Address: ……………………………………………………………………………..

Club: ………………………………………………………………………………

Stags Squad for East Midlands

The Hertfordshire Stags (U20) squad for their match against East Midland U20 @ Hitchin RFC on Wednesday, 14th January, KO 7.30 pm is:

1. R. Schillaci (Hertford)
2. S. Durno (Hertford)
3. R. Mealing (Letchworth)
4. D. Calnan (Tabard)
5. S. Barrow (Tabard)
6. T. Jankowski (Welwyn)
7. T. Meller (Stevenage Town)
8. M. Chambers (Bishop's Stortford)
9. E. Birbeck (Old Northamptonians)
10. S. Smart (Hertford)
11. M. Claire (Bishop's Stortford)
12. S. Ellis (Hertford)
13. B. DeGrandis (Bishop's Stortford)
14. K. Lemon (Stevenage Town)
15. H Robinson (Letchworth)
16. M. Connors (Bedford Academy)
17. M. Dempsey (Fullerians)
18. H. Howman (Letchworth)
19. R. Richardson (Bedford Academy)
20. J. Tredgett (Letchworth)
21. J Davis (Tabard)

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.