Frosty start to a gorgeous day as the scene was set for close battle between Harpenden (10th) and us (11th). Back in November on the 4G Harpenden had managed to win a tight affair 30 – 24. With lots of best wishes from Derek once again we were determined not to disappoint a large home crowd. Not quite a Pimm’s day but certainly some chilled lager and fine wines were the order of the day, at least to calm the nerves of an anxious crowd.

With only 7points between us this was our first ‘must win’ game of the season. In addition, our aim was to secure all the points to give us every hope of survival after the next 3 games. Harpenden are a side who would undoubtedly give it their all.
Prior to kick off we all got emotional congratulating Jordan Scott on his 150th Amersham Cap. Quite an achievement for one so young. Hugs and kisses all round.

And so to the action

It was quite a Chiltern opening. Full of intent and purpose. Fast running and expansive back moves. Wave after wave pounding the Harpenden defence with Chiltern edging nearer and nearer to the opening points. It though wasn’t until the 14th minute when winger Josh Fisher gladly accepted the pass from Kasper Struger (back from lengthy injury) prior to zipping around the outside of the last defender and scoring in the corner (5-0).

Alex Bower missed a tough conversion. As Harpenden managed to get more into the match A&C perhaps took their foot off Harpenden’s throat. Harpenden therefore seized the opportunity to level matters after some good attack from their backs (5-5). Only 6 mins later and with decent momentum their winger flew over again into the corner for their 2nd try and a (5-10) lead. H/T (5-10).

By all accounts the A&C team talk was stirring, verging on William Wallace’s at the Battle of Bannockburn. In the 45th, minute the mighty ‘Aberdeen Angus’ Andrew Toole needed no 2nd chances to score our 2nd try duly converted by young Alex Bower. (12-10).
There then followed some tight defending from both sides. A&C though had the territory as they looked to score again at the Clubhouse end. Harpenden struggling to get out of their 22. Eventually and not until the 78th minute it was our dead-eye hooker Joe Batt, marauding his way over for the decisive score and with Ben Pothecary striking the conversion securing a very well-deserved 19-10 win!!

1.Doug McGregor-Smith 2. Joe Batt 3. Charlie Swerling 4. Harry Bradshaw 5. Jacques O’Driscoll 6. Andrew Toole 7. Josh Finch © 8. Jordan Scott 9. Conor Segre 10. Alex Bower 11. Bojan Cecaric 12. Aaron Lewis 13. Dan Kingsley 14. Josh Fisher 15. Ben Harris 16. Liam Bruno 17.Ed Sussum 18. Ben Pothecary