Hemel humbled their neighbours and close friends St Albans in a exciting derby match.

Match report to follow.

36-32 is hardly a humbling is it ?

Confirmed score was 38 - 32. The extra 2 points make it a humbling

indeed !!!

Hemel Stags took to the field for the first time this season to take on local rivals St Albans in bright sunshine at Pennine Way. Hemel fielded a team of only 4 players that completed in the RLCN last season. Troy Perkins, Hemel’s head coach had 13 players unavailable for this clash but the depth in the squad was enough to subdue a plucky St Albans. Oli O’Mara ran in the first try after 5 mins after a dazzling 25 meter run through his middle of the field that left St Albans standing and admiring his class. Hemel was prevented from extending their lead on 12 mins when a final pass was adjudged forward. St Albans started to get into the game and scored 4 unanswered tries, The Stags found themselves 4- 22 behind. On the half hour mark hardworking hooker Gareth Swindells went in for his first of two tries. In the next set of six Hemel’s new prop Tim Stevens lost the ball over the line but made amends shortly after with some good work to offload to Oli O’Mara to go in for his second try. St Albans scored two quick tries when Hemel interchanged the big man up front which allowed St Albans to see more of the ball. With 20 minutes to go St Albans were leading 16- 32, but with the never say die attitude of Hemel’s young 17yr olds of Connor-Boyd Barnes, George Stevens, Eric Grimley and Kieran Dixon they put St Albans to the sword. Connor Boyd Barnes was the first to go over after ghosting past three St Albans defenders to touchdown he’s first try. And typical props try from James Howitt powering over, and minutes later Gareth Swindells stretch out and scored under the post despite the attention of two defenders putting Hemel in front for the first time that afternoon. There was a few handbags when St Albans felt hard done by a late tackle even though the ref called play on, not held, resulted in a St Albans player taking the law into he’s own hands, but the ref handled the situation well and quickly restored order. Conner-Boyd Barnes had the last say when he went over to complete he’s second try. Final score 38-32

Troy Perkins was happy with the teams’ days work even though there was a lot of handling errors early on in the game. But he was happy with how the players kept at the task at hand and refused to be beaten. Next week Hemel travel to London Skolars knowing that a win there will land them the North London Cup.