A thrilling finale to a first season of competitive rugby saw Hemel Hempstead Camelot Under 13’s edge out an up and coming Chess Valley side to win the Herts Rugby County Youth Plate and in doing so lift their second piece of silverware of the season.

The Plate competition is contested by all Herts Teams competing in Herts/Middx League Divisions 3 & 4. Having navigated their way through the knockout rounds, Camelot came into finals day at Hertford Rugby Club as probable favourites due them being the highest placed team in their section of the competition.

Chess Valley proved that league positions counted for nothing and a typically slow start from Camelot combined with a commanding forward display from their opponents left Camelot on the back foot for much of the first half. However a forwards breakaway try from close to half way and a subsequent let off for Camelot when Chess Valley knocked on close to the line when a try looked certain meant Camelot headed into half time with an unlikely 5-0 lead.

Chess Valley were able to respond early in the second half with a try of their own and the game continued locked at 5-5 for much of the second half. The tightness of the game and the threat of a single score potentially sealing a win for either side left some wondering whether a tie and a share of the spoils might have been the fairest outcome. The deadlock, as well as the resolve of the opposition, was finally broken when, as had happened on so many occasions this season, an extra gear was found and Camelot were able to run in two further tries which were successfully converted. The final whistle couldn’t come soon enough but with a 14 point cushion the job was effectively done. Final score, 19-5.

Sunday’s win followed on from their triumph in the league. In February Camelot secured their inaugural season Division 3 league title having taken 6 victories from 6 against opposition from across the Herts and Middlesex region. The win also saw the boys defeated in just one game from fifteen across league, cup and friendly fixtures.