The unseasonably hot weather for October added to a fantastic encounter at Cow Lane on Saturday afternoon as the 2s recorded their first win of the season in some style.

In typical second team fashion the line up was one that spanned the decades with a combination of youth and experience, others pulling on the shirt for the first time this season.

Harps made a strong start and the pack really stamped its dominance on the game from the off, the front row of Silvey, Sims and Ledwidge backed up by the engine room of Tominey and Cumming were not short of bolster to get the scrum moving forward. After applying some significant pressure it was Michael Goode who crashed over from short range. Another try quickly followed from Tristian Francis to give the visitors a well earned 0-10 lead.

The second spell of the first half saw Tring gain a foothold in the game, returning from the Harps 22 with a penalty. Another period of pressure for Tring just before the half time whistle resulted in their first try of the match leaving the score poised at 8-10 at the interval.

The second half started in disastorous fashion for Harpenden, conceding an early try after Tring worked the ball wide following a scrappy Harpenden line out. This was turning point in the game, with the home side fully expecting to kick on and secure victory, but despite a brief moment in reverse the men in black began to work through the gears for the first time this season.

With the sloping pitch in their favour Harpenden pinned Tring into their own half through some storming breaks with ball in hand and accurate kicking. They restored the lead with a try that went through multiple phases and sets of hands before Wilkinson crossed the whitewash.

Tring did not lack endeavour but the Harpenden defence was efficient at repelling any attack. Yet when they ventured into the Tring half, the home side were unable to prevent further punishment. Two visits to the red zone yielded 14 points with tries for Goode and Pennell and two conversions for Francis.

Even a Purvis yellow card could not dampen the Harpenden desire to close out the game. As further pressure was soaked up and then thrown back at Tring in the form of a driving line out and a try for Jack Murphy.

At the full time debrief, coach Simcott gave his seal of approval to a performance of the highest order and with an off week next Saturday the team will look forward to the visit of Bishop Stortford to Redbourn Lane on 23rd October

Harpenden 2s:
Silvey, Sims, Ledwidge, Cumming, Tominey, Murphy, Goode, Longden, Pope, Francis, Coates, Wilkinson, Pennell, Griffiths, Wilde
Reps: Stanley, Purvis