A WARM WELCOME TO HERTFORD RFC
Today we afford a traditional SRFC warm welcome to all players, officials and supporters of Hertford RFC as they visit Knole Paddock for just the second time.
This is a special day for us as we bask in the knowledge that Adam’s 1st XV squad has gained a promotion unprecedented in our history. However we still have to clinch top spot unequivocally and today’s opposition also have their eyes on a potential promotion slot. So there is much to play for by both sides.
To add more spice to today’s match we have played Hertford three times now, with one win, one loss and one draw, as well as 49 points for and 50 against. So this promises to be a cracking fixture with which to break the deadlock and close an exceptionally competitive and successful season for both clubs.
Old Hertfordians RFC was established in 1932, resulting from the desire of Hertford GS alumni wishing to continue playing rugby after leaving school. In those days they were a nomadic bunch playing on six different grounds up to the end of 1949.
They then moved to their present home in Hoe Lane by purchasing that land which, on reflection, was the canniest move they could have made.
Facilities at the start were pretty rudimentary but in 1966 their existing pavilion was built and in 1972, with fewer and fewer Old boys coming through they renamedthemselves Hertford RFC.
When the professional era dawned in 1995, Hertford “committed to achieve a level of management and professional coaching necessary to sustain a position as one of the largest rugby clubs in Hertfordshire, and to offer comprehensive facilities to junior and senior players alike”. Such words can easily be repeated for SRFC, so we share identical ambitions for our respective counties and beyond.
Level 5 status was achieved in 2001 and then three seasons later promotion to Level 4. Hertford haven’t been lower than Level 5 since and, in line with our own modus operandi, are representative of what modern rugby clubs can aspire to.
If Oaks win today this would be our 16th successive win, which will equal the record set by the 1st XV in September ’95 and which covered three separate seasons - three wins in Spring ’94, our “perfect” season of 94/95 and the first match of ‘95/96. Records are made to be broken so if we surmount today’s considerable obstacle we stand on the threshold of rewriting our own history. This particular contemplated landmark brings to mind our Club’s ultimate unbeaten streak in the last century and fashioned by an unlikely and unheralded group of “social” players. Their tilt at history can be read elsewhere in the programme.
Howard Pearl
Other London & South East Premier Division matches being played today:
Brighton v CS Stags1863North Walsham v Maidenhead
Sidcup v HavantSutton & Epsom v Westcombe Park
Tunbridge Wells v Dorking Wimbledon v Tring