By Mark Elliot

Stevenage proved too strong for Welwyn in this local league derby on Saturday. During a one-sided first half, Welwyn persisted in kicking the ball to Stevenage in open play whose dangerous backs took full advantage, running in tries form deep positions through a combination of excellent support and good finishing. County winger Ian Crompton and veteran Samoan hooker Tavita Famaousili helped themselves to a hat-trick of tries each and the game was effectively over as a contest long before half time.

Playing down the slope in the first half, Stevenage took an early lead with a converted try only for James Littlejohn to keep Welwyn in the hunt minutes later with a straightforward penalty goal. Welwyn's kicking tactics and ineffective tackling presented Stevenage with three virtually identical tries within the space of fifteen minutes and Welwyn faced an uphill struggle, trailing by 24-3. Youngsters Dave Wells and James Littlejohn had some good moments for Welwyn during a difficult first half and the rejuvenated and Andy Hawkins coped well with some difficult ball at the base of the Welwyn scrum. Andy Smith coped well with his speedy opposite number Michael Wilson, but it was Ian Crompton on the right wing who caused Welwyn most of their problems. A quick and deceptively strong winger, Crompton proved very difficult to bring down time after time.
Just before half time James Littlejohn converted another penalty to bring the score to 29-6 at the interval.

William Freeston replaced Ed Whittam at half time and with the benefit of the considerable slope, Welwyn proved more competitive in the second period. Backs coach Phil Waters then shuffled the backs around with Peter Elliott moving into the centre, Littlejohn moving to fly-half and Yourgos Alexander completing the game at full back. The change did not seem to help Welwyn's defence with Crompton scoring twice more early in the half breaking through a number of tackles. Head coach Andy Riley then brought Rob James into the back row in place of Andy Hawkins and Alan Crawley replaced Barry Crowe on the left wing. Showing a determined spirit and good fitness, Welwyn dominated the last 15 minutes of the game and scored two forwards' tries through William Freeston and Richard Stokes, with Littlejohn adding a conversion. Other Welwyn highlights in this period include a fine break by centre Danny Creak and a crunching tackle by Stokes on his opposite number Barry Cook.

Welwyn face a tough game next Saturday at home to joint leaders Chingford - kick off at 2.30.

Close match report.

By Andrew Bolton

Welwyn 4th XV were away to Old Grammarians 2nd XV this week. Both teams looking to get their season on the road, Welwyn started well, matching Old Grammarians tackle for tackle and making some strong break away runs. Despite tenacious efforts from Welwyn, Old Grammarians back line proved too strong crossing the line twice and went into half time in the lead. Welwyn came out fighting, narrowly missing several attempts including a run away scrum on the Old Grammarians line foiled at the very last minute. Determination in the air, Welwyn strived forward throughout the second half with maestro half back and man of the match, Harry Atkinson, producing a first class display. Unfortunately a late try from Old Grammarians sealed their victory, 24 - 0. Welwyn hope to find their feet in an injury filled season next week at home to Cheshunt 2nd XV, while also keeping a close eye on the upcoming cup tournament.

Close match report.

If the match had finished after twenty minutes Welwyn would be through to the second round of the cup after going two tries and a conversion with no reply from Harps. The first try came from a powerful display by centre Scott Clewlow, who burst through the defensive line to score under the posts. The conversion was duly slotted between the uprights by Tim Wilson. The second try came from captain James Smith, playing at fly half, who took the ball from Harry Atkinson at scrum and chipped through four Harps players and out-paced them to touch down the try. Harps then woke up and sought revenge, running in a couple of soft tries after the Welwyn midfield missed their tackles. But just as the crowd had started to predict a Harps rout, the Welwyn forwards stepped up a gear and came close on several occasions before finally after a series of passing moves along the back line Smith took the ball from a ruck and forced himself over for his second try. Man of the match was awarded to Alex Tenn, who had an outstanding game.

Close match report.

Welwyn beat their long term rivals Datchworth in the Herts Plate Final.
29 to 10.

Close match report.

Welwyn under 15's (A) ran out comfortable winners 42 - 12 at Old Albanians (B) this weekend, the match was a closer affair than the score line suggests but again power and pace was the key to Welwyn's final dominance.
Welwyn's pack provided another solid platform winning against the head or in the line out. Tom Webb (prop) was rewarded with a try, hard work from the back row Will Hubbard (open) , Alexander Palmer Wales (Blind) and Judd Otene(8) cancelled out many attacking oppurtunities and put pressure on Old A's forwards and backs alike. Good running lines from Bradleigh Lack assisted by the rest of the backs allowed the pace of Karolis Kyvedys (outside center) and Ben Agalawatte (wing) to dominate down the sides and run in a number of trys - congratulations to Ben for 3 trys on the day. Full back Ian Forbes provided a staunch line of defence on a number of occasions then turned the table by some fine free running play and kicking. With fine performances from all in the squad (all to be mentioned in the future) it was another good result as the team moves closer to the first League fixture of the season.

Close match report.

ETIHAD Harlequins Curtain Raiser Cup

The final was against the Middlesex County champions, Rosslyn Park. We had met in the Semi Final qualifying day when a late try from the opposition had shared the spoils, so we knew this could be close! Well think close and it was even closer than that!
The game was played at a blistering pace and all the players were putting their bodies on the line in an attempt to get the upper hand. Several probing runs by the Park centres were met with a maroon and white wall as Gus, Harry A & Cameron fought hard along the frontline. Captain, Alfie was once again leading by example and made tackles that even the travelling support winced at! Each half of the game was spent with one side camped close to their opponents line but the closest either side got to scoring in normal time was to be held up by the determined defenders. Luca & Morgan combined to nearly cross the whitewash but the final whistle went to send things into extra time.
In the first half of extra time it was Rosslyn Park who had the ball and our defence was simply awesome. It came at a cost though as we lost Louis, James, Harry and Gus to injury. The second period and it was our turn to press for a winner and Keir came close twice before finally breaking the shackles of the Park defence to score with 2 minutes to go. There was obvious elation in our camp and deflation in the Park camp and more impressive tackling allowed us to hold on for the win!
Final Score Rosslyn Park 0 Welwyn 5 AET

Close match report.

With a very long break due to Christmas and the snow the Welwyn Warriors Under 15 girls finally got to play some rugby.

From the off the Welwyn girls showed the type off rugby they are known for with Lotte Clapp running in four tries against Guildford which were all converted by Abbie Maxwell. But then Welwyn took their eye off the game and, before Welwyn could do anything about it, Guildford had levelled the score by half time with some well worked tries making it four tries each.

The start of the second half saw a shell shocked Welwyn team dig deep and start playing there game again with 3 more tries from Lotte Clapp with Abbie converting them all again .
With ten minutes to go after a good strong powerful run, Abbie powered over the line to score a well earned try but could not convert for the extra two points. But the try of the day came from Beth Summerfield as she took a pass in her own half and ran the other half for a great individual try all the time with her sister Kate running on her shoulder should she be needed to make the final score Welwyn 59 Guildford 31

Close match report.