It was very much known going into the new season that every single point in Regional 1 South East would be hard earned, tight margins, moments of brilliance and bounces of the ball would be defining features of every match. The slenderest of defeats in Bedford for Harpenden proved that and more.

All players sported black arm bands and respectfully observed two minutes of silence in memory of the Queen before the game kicked off.

Once proceedings were underway, Harpenden were on the back foot from the start. The Ath dominating the possession stats for the first 10 minutes, their willing to move the ball and accuracy in building phases gave Harps a huge amount of defending to do. The defence however stood strong and all the home team had to show for this early dominance was three point lead.

Once the visitors, clad in their vibrant lavender alternate jerseys, were able to hit their straps they found opportunity in the outside channels with Boynes making a searing break that eventually allowed Johnson the chance to level the scores from the tee.

However, straight from the return kick off their was more pressure to deal with and following a scrum a few metres from the line the ball was moved to the three quarters and would be tacklers were left by the wayside as the Ath outside centre cruises over the line.

The structure and patient build up that had defined last week’s performance at Colchester deserted Harps for the most part of the game. Yet, there was still plenty of endeavour on show.

Harpenden were next on the score sheet after a quick line out from Mason and a kick ahead from McClean gave some good field position. Multiple phases of pick and goes resulted in Osborn touching down which was followed by the conversion to level the scores.

The visitors were reduced to 14 after Ward was shown a yellow card for cynical offside after a build up of penalty offences in the Bedford half.

Yet as half time approached Harps sprung into life, Sims fed the ball to the back line from an over thrown line out and McClean and Speirs combined beautifully to find the space and feed Matt Shaw who pinned his ears back to score his first Harpenden try in the corner. Johnson's conversion was successful and Harps went into the half time break leading by five points.

The second period started well for Harps, with a penalty from Johnson stretching the lead further after a period of territorial dominance. However, the hard work was undone as immediately from the kick off The Ath were in for a score after a clearing kick was charged down and pounced upon in the dead ball area for a quick five point repost that was turned into seven following the conversion.

The home side were impressive with their desire to move the ball but Harpenden were able quell the threat for much of the second half. Extending the lead further after one effort was held up over the line, Ward made up for his earlier yellow with his second try in two games. With the score at 17-23 and Bedford reduced to 14 men the game was there for Harpenden to win.

Unsurprisingly Bedford threw everything at the Harpenden line to find an all important score. After one effort was thwarted due to a double movement over the line, Harps had the chance to see out the match but from the resultant lineout the ball was spilled and as it moved through the backs, it was nudged towards the line. In the melee of hands and feet the bounce favoured the home side to put them through for a try. The conversion was cooly slotted over to give them the slenderest of leads.

Despite regaining possession, Harpenden were unable to make use of the ball to give them an opportunity to nick the win at the death.

Harpenden: McKenzie-Cardy, Sims, Campion, Lacey, Scott, Osborn, Attfield, Ward, Wilkinson, Johnson, Mason, Boynes, Speirs, Sweeney, McClean.
Reps: McSporran, Sturley, Shaw.