Following what felt like a long season for Tring’s form side, it all came down to a showdown with Hendon at Cow Lane for who would be crowned league champions. Tring began their season campaign seven months ago against the same team (with a few familiar faces), with the spoils on that day, shared. Seven months is an eternity in a sporting context. Tring have grown as a side, ably marshalled by Gaz following the loss of Dan Bon for the season, this young team have grown immeasurably. Played in almost perfect conditions, Hendon arrived for this title decider having put 50 points on Hitchin. Tring, without arguably their player of the year, Sam Roberts, came off the back of a clunky and unconvincing win at Welwyn. With a capacity crowd in support, the stage was set.

Playing into the wind in the first 40, but with the slope, Tring began the game at an incredible pace. Any misgivings by either side that this encounter wouldn’t live up to expectations where quickly cast aside. The home side struck first, and it was our very own Michael Jordan in the slightly different appearance of T Adams who orchestrated it. Bloomfield and Bunker carried deep into Hendon territory and, following a series of infringements, Tring kicked for the corner. The training ground move set the tone and tempo for the game. Hunter’s darts found Bray, and the momentum created was enough to take Tring close, where Roach darted over for the first score of the game. Rinse and repeat. Tring continued their pressure plays, making inroads and forcing penalties. This time, and with only 10 minutes on the clock, Hunter’s darts found its target yet again and Hendon found themselves backpedaling at a rate of knots. With the cake already baked, Draper joined the party adding the cherry on the top. Rolfe adding the extras, taking the score to 12-0 in Tring’s favour.

Hendon then came to the party. Hendon could play, a relative novelty at this level. Tring’s defence, statistically the best in the league (points conceded 209 across 17 games) was sorely tested by Hendon’s power game. Time and again Tring repelled the hordes, but despite their size advantage, Tring held firm. Bunker, Bloomfield and Hunter all combining time after time to frustrate and thwart Hendon. Eventually though, the pressure told. Several Tring infringements allowed Hendon’s tighthead to burrow over in the corner, and with the conversion missed, the scores moved along to 12-5.

Half-Time

Tring began the second half with Coach Dan Bon’s words ringing in their collective ears. However, it was Hendon who took the initiative with only six minutes of the half played. A quick move involving their backs and rounded off by their powerful winger brought the game level at 12-12. Game on. Big moments need big players. Tring’s young guns delivered in spades, going deep into the “well”, to steal a phrase from Gaz. T Adams and Bunker almost single-handedly took the game to Hendon, despite the loss at half-time of the imperious Bloomfield. Time and again T Adams ran hard, taking the weight and responsibility his team needed, and Bunker was a constant nuisance at the breakdown, pilfering five or six turnovers at crucial times. However, Hendon scored two quick tries in succession seemingly taking the game away from Tring. Breaking out wide with their powerful backs, Hendon’s numbers were just too much for Tring. Conversion missed. 12-12. Next up, their powerful 13 hit a fantastic line to dot down under the posts, despite some stoic Tring defence. 12-17.

The final quarter was upon us.

It would take a monumental effort from all 19 in Black & Gold to get themselves back into this contest. But back we came. Draper and Rolfe marshalled the backs beautifully, kicking deep into the corners, forcing Hendon to return kicks into a wind. And it was a Rolfe beauty which got Tring back into it. A series of lineouts deep in Hendon’s half created the foundations here, and the game sparked into life. Tring intelligently created the space, finding soft edges in Hendon’s defence following bullocking runs from Pecorini and Haywood, before the ball was spun wide to Peterson. His pass found Payne, and with a 3 on 1 overlap, Hendon’s winger deliberately knocked the ball on with the try-line gaping. The decision was a penalty and yellow card. Tring opted to kick for the corner and Hunter’s darts were spot on once again. The tried and tested catch and drive ensued, and Bunker found himself in the driving seat, plundering over before Draper could join the party and steal the forward’s thunder. Conversion narrowly wide. 17-17.

The final 10 minutes of this contest produced some of the best and most insane rugby perhaps ever witnessed in a 3rd team context. Tring had to withstand heavy Hendon pressure initially and once Patterson was, seemingly, tackled mid-air, Hendon had the chance to win the game with a simple-ish shot at goal. The kick narrowly missed the posts, but saboteur (and interim touch judge) Borg-Neal had other ideas. Tring’s number 11 decided to raise his flag, and with Hendon’s touch judge in a better position keeping his low, there ensued a feisty debate between referee, touch judges, players and supporters. The scores stayed at 17 apiece with 77 mins played. From the resulting twenty-two restart, Draper kicked long. Very long. Hendon’s fullback returned his kick well, but his fellow teammates had strayed offside in their eagerness. Tring were presented with a penalty in front of the posts, just outside the twenty-two. Cometh the hour, cometh the man. With ice in his veins Rolfe stepped up and nailed the kick, casual as you like. With the final three minutes played at such a high tempo the game ended with Draper’s attempted kick failing to find touch – akin to falling out of a boat and missing water – but it mattered not. The game was finished, and Tring had won the game and the league in one fell swoop.

Final score: 20-17

Team: Adams, Hunter, Wright, Bray, Pecorini, Bunker, Haywood ©, Bloomfield, Roach, Rolfe, Borg-Neal, Draper, Boswell, Manning and Payne.

Replacements: Immonger, Paterson, Oaks and Murphy.