400 years ago, Samuel Stone left Hertford to found Hartford in America. But his statue in Hertford town centre does not point West, to the Land of the Free, but rather North, to the Land of the Royston U12s. It looks like a warning of a coming peril: The Royston Stone Defence.
Our heroes may have not won every game, but they certainly stopped Hertford's flamboyant and exuberant backs on the beachfront. The standards of the opposing teams were much higher than in previous meetings, but the boys excelled in their rugby with some fantastic footwork (flying Tom did not need a famous soft drink to get wings; bottom right) and blazing tries by Harry (top right), Harry, Alec, Tommy, and Riccardo. In a difficult day for the old foes Camelot, our U12s even managed to lend them three players allowing them to field a full team. Not too shabby in a momentary lapse of blue (bottom left), our boys went happily back to pose for a team photo in the much more elegant and classier black and white. Just enough time to enjoy the true team spirit of rugby by sharing a powwow with the other players, and then home to rest and prepare for the Super-8’s on Sunday 13th of April at the saffron capital of England.

See you all in Saffron Walden!