Photo courtesy of Marc Aspland - Chief Sports Photographer - The Times

As the news filtered through during the week that Director of Rugby, loosehead prop and HRFC club legend Sean McLoughlin had decided that he would be making his final appearance for the first team, the messages and tributes had come pouring in.

After joining the club in the 2013/14 season Sean has gone on to make over 150 appearances in the black and white. All the more remarkable that he has done all of this whilst most players have hung up their boots. A career with a prolonged and successful twilight will likely end on the field with son Sam for the 2nd or 3rd XV but this work at the coal face for the 1st XV is now done.

The 14 men who took the field alongside Sean in his final match were keen to put their shoulders to the wheel and give him a performance fitting of the man.

Opponents Norwich, despite their lowly league status had kicked off the new year well with victories over Old Habs and Leighton Buzzard. So the home side were prepared to face a side with their tails up on the AGP and Redbourn Lane.

In the end there were tries a plenty for the crowd to savour. Early in the first half it was Speirs, Goode and Wilkinson who were able to finish off after a number of waves of forceful Harpenden attack. The Norfolk side were able to put some points on the board with a well worked try of their own, however Harps quickly restored their three try lead when Tait finished off a lovely try in the corner. As half time approached McClean extended the lead further, after a show and go opened up the space for him to score from 15 metres out.

The second half started slowly for both slides but it was the away side that dotted down for the first score. But Harps were in no mood to let Norwich close the gap further with a two further tries from Wilkinson after numerous attempts from the forward to barge their way through.

With 5 minutes remaining Harpenden continued to keep their foot on the accelerator when McClean crossed once again. This allowed McLoughlin to delight the crowd, their shouts for him to take what they thought would be the last conversion were rewarded with him taking the ball off Ollie Mann to attempt to add the extras. An attempt was all it was, as it threatened neither the cross bar or the goalposts. Scrummaging has always been his forte!

The final play ended in an another score for Harpenden as Charlier hoovered up a loose ball to take the final score to 59-14. A game and a career well finished.

Harpenden: McLoughlin, Sims, Campion, Pearce-Paul, Lacey, Bloisi, Charlier, Goode, Gulliford, Mann, Tait, Wilkinson, Speirs, Pennell, McClean.

Reps: McKenzie-Cardy, Wheatley, Childs