Harpenden Under 16’s vs Hertford Under 16’s

Sunday 16th September 2012

Throughout time, Man has witnessed numerous military bluffs. The Trojan Horse - for example - which allowed a elite group of Greek soldiers to enter the city of Troy concealed within a giant hollow wooden horse in a bold attempt to end a 10 year siege. We then have “Operation Bodyguard” where dummy aircraft were strategically positioned around Britain to create a smokescreen thus allowing the invasion of Normandy in 1944. Cunning plans indeed and all in the name of “Military Deception.”

The tactic of “smokeand mirrors” has found its way into sport in recent times. There have been countless examples of using illegal or banned drugs to enhance individual performance and who could ever possibly forget the infamous “Blood-gate” where Harlequins’ Tom Williams slipped a blood capsule into his mouth to force a tactical substitution against Leinster. But there is a more subtle bluff that has crept into the amateur game, arguably introduced by our soccer chums, this rouse is all too familiar to us all.

Hertford travelled to Harpenden with a “much weakened side” ( see what we did there? Ed ) to compete in an Under 16 A/B ‘friendly’ but it was soon evident that this would turn out to be the exact opposite. For the first 10 minutes, Harp’s starting 15 a blend of A’s and B’s stood firm against a strong Hertford side with much of the play inside their own half. However, the home side were soon to find their feet. Following more than a little unnecessary aggression from the visitors, the Boys in Black stepped up to the mark and took the game to their opposition and dominated the remaining 20 minutes of the first half. A series of flowing moves across the back line – right to left and back again – allowed Brownlie to pick up and power through the Hertford defence. Armed with an AK47, Taser and an Elephant gun there would be no stopping Chris on this kind of burst. Bitrim slotted the conversion 7-0 and game on. The remaining 12 minutes allowed two attempts at drop-goal without success and more replacements than a 1976 Ford Cortina.

Half-time

Harps U16’s Hertford U16’s

7 0

It is fair to say that the attractive flowing rugby demonstrated in the first half was not to be replicated in the second. This was to be a far more scrappy affair. Our guests appeared to succumb to frustration and several scuffles broke out. Referee Hewlett now having to manage not so much a game of Rugby but more a “Cluster Bomb” attack on CampBastion. A summer training regime based at “CampDeath Valley” and a forced diet of road-kill and baby bunnies’ blood had clearly added an element of steel, fitness and determination into the Harps’ armoury.

With 42 minutes on the clock, fly-half Bitrim kicked for touch. The ball held up in the wind ( I maybe being a little generous there!) and straight down the throat of the Hertford winger. With two Harps’ players bearing down, the ball spilt into the path of speedy winger Lewis M-H. Lewis, with footwork like Giggs and speed akin to Usain Bolt took two touches to poke the ball over the Hertford goal line and a Tom Daley swallow dive to score. This was a try of true Olympic pedigree. Unfortunately, the wind took hold of the subsequent conversion attempt. Undeterred, Bitrim mustered his confidence to slot home a penalty on the 55minute mark.

With no further scores to follow, some credible performances deserve a mention, Tom Day – stepping in at 9 on his HRFC debut, Frazer Pegler – rock solid performance at 8, Jonnie Reed and Chris Brownlie – 3 & 1 kept their lumpy counterparts in check, “ Gorgeous” George Adamson with a solid performance in the second row ( and a call up to East of England trials to boot ) and Alexander (Strike!) O’Connor for consistently knocking over everything in his path.

Final score:

Harpenden U16’s Hertford U16’s

15 0