Welwyn 4th XV Do the Double

Saturday saw Welwyn 4th XV defeat Harrow 24 points to 12 in the final of the Herts Merit Table giving the Welwyn side the double for the season. Back in March the 4ths had clinched the league title with 3 straight wins in a row over Finchley 2nds, Fullerians 3rds and St Albans 3rds to keep them just ahead of league contender Old Streetonians 2nds. Following the completion of the league season the final month of the season sees the clubs in the league fight it out in another knock out competition which progresses to a grand finals day when each of the 4 leagues play their final and this year Welwyn was the host club for all finals which were played back to back to a large crowd enjoying the summer sunshine and the hospitality of the Welwyn clubhouse. The Welwyn 4th team were the only Welwyn side to make it through to finals day this year and they enjoyed the vocal support (mostly encouraging) of their home crowd, Captain Arron Budgen who was delighted to be presented with the double after the final of the knock out cup on Saturday said the team punched well above their weight and the mix of age and youth combined really well this season.

The final started well with a quick try from text book mauling near the line. The pack continued to be dominant throughout and good work in the lineout saw the ball into the safe hands of Richard Rapley who was launched into the stratosphere by Alex Bardett and Allan Smith. This meant that regular ball came back for a full array of attacking set moves in the backs.

Scrummaging was a formality, the front row dominance showed with consistent ball coming back off our own put ins and about 50% of the first half scrums being won against the head. Neil Hughes at openside was everywhere, and both he and Keith Bothwick made sure that Welwyn kept the ball alive with their own evading runs and retained the ball at the break downs. Supporter's favourite Richard Fyson made full use of the pitches natural gradient to hammer into the opposition.

Two further tries just before and after half time should have sealed the game for Welwyn who then played a fairly tight game as they started to tire on the exceptionally hot day. It was much more touch-and-go in the final quarter of the game after Harrow made some forward substitutions and started to get ball from the first phase which up until then the Welwyn pack had dominated. Harrow grabbed a try and two penalties to set up a tight finish but excellent tackling from the back line and astute kicking from fly half Ben Caunter blocked Harrow and saw Welwyn clear their lines successfully and hold out for a cup final win to the delight of the crowd. The team was:

Richard Fyson, Paul English, Alex Bardett, Stoksie, Allan Smith, Richard Rapley, Neil Hughes, Keith Bothick, Bill Moran, Ben Haines, Ben Caunter, Thomas Wignal, Arron Bugden (Captain), Chris Smith, Terry Bowers, Craig Bowley, Tom Mitchell

Finally congratulations to regular flanker Gibbo who couldn't play as he had a more pressing engagement in the local maternity unit on Saturday- mum and baby are all well and the team are delighted for Gibbo.

Welwyn 4th XV Tiffy collecting the trophies