With six players making their debut, it was going to be a good test for the team and new Head Coach Richie Williams and his coaching team. There were, however, 11 former Chiltern juniors and colts playing in the side, which is a remarkable statistic.

Selection had been a problem, as five first choice props were unavailable through injury or other reasons, which meant that second-row Dean McLennan had to start the game in the front row. But in the event, the large crowd enjoyed the hot sunshine and were treated to a feast of rugby.

The visitors took the game to the home side from the kick-off and quickly forced two penalties in quick succession, both converted by winger David John for a 0-6 lead. Hertford suffered the wrath of the referee time and again for persistent high tackles and killing the ball, but further penalty attempts at goal were missed. After 40 minutes, however, with the visitors having to make changes in the centre and at scrum-half due to injury, Hertford managed a break through the centre and set up a try for their giant right winger Tam Mbonu, unconverted, but narrowing the lead to 5-6. Another penalty conversion for the visitors by David John, however, meant that the half time score was 5-9 to the visitors.

Amersham & Chiltern then suffered another blow from the restart, when No.7 Andy Zair was forced to go off with an eye injury, to be replaced by Perez Jack. Ten minutes in, however, a superb break by Rhys Keith took the visitors up into the home side’s 22 and, after a series of phases, a lovely break by fly-half Ross Bugden gave him a try near the posts, converted by Jack Kenyon for a 5-16 lead.

Hertford hit back with a converted penalty, but from the restart full-back Chris Jack, who was causing the opposition all kinds of problems, took the ball on from his own 22, making a good 40 metres before finding Jack Kenyon in support and in for another try for the visitors. The conversion was missed, but the score moved on to 8-21. Chiltern were now playing with great confidence and a flowing move up the field found centre Josh Davies on the left wing, rounding Hertford’s winger for a great try.

But for the already shocked home supporters, even worse was to follow. Right wing David John collected the ball on half way, ran hard at his opposite number and with a superb kick ahead, which he caught himself, was over for another try, converted by Jack Kenyon. Amersham & Chiltern were virtually home and dry at 8-33 and with a bonus point for scoring four tries. But the visitors were still not finished and from the restart a lovely solo break through the centre by Rhys Keith lead to him scoring a fifth try, again converted by Jack Kenyon and an 8-40 score line. With the game all but won, Chiltern relaxed rather too much and allowed the home side to score two quick tries with only minutes to go, one converted, leaving a rather flattering final score for the home side of 20-40 points.

This was a great start to the season for Amersham & Chiltern, beating a mid-table side in a new league, away from home and with a still untried team containing so many debutants. And special mention must also be made to the large number of Chiltern supporters who made the trip and were royally rewarded by a treat of attacking running rugby - and, of course, a Chiltern win.

Next week it's local side Tring, again away from home, and it is hoped that the momentum can be continued.

Match report by Andy Gillanders