Reliance on technology is becoming more and more important especially given the greater geographical spread in Herts/Middlesex 3 this year. However as the Mitchell boys found out it is only as good as the person operating it, leading to two car loads and the kit turning up barely 25 minutes before the start of the match.

Such is the set up this year though that even a rushed warm up was sufficient for Quintin to come out of the blocks flying… Cuffely may have been hampered from their very long warm up, something that meant Q’s started the game full of running and invention. Cuffely looked a well drilled team with a large pack, however Q’s have long been used to having the smaller pack. A successful win of the toss had let Q’s start the game running down a dreadfully sloped pitch that the Cuffley captain had commented was worth 15 points each half. Q’s scored 22, with four first half tries built on a continuity that had not been since Smith had tried to down his last pint. The third try was sublime with constant offloads in the tackle leading to Q’s driving 60m up the field, stunned local supporter stated it was one of the best he had seen in any league, leading him to tip Quintin as an early favourite to push for promotion this year. Lets hope these words do not come back to haunt them!

Quintin forwards were dominant in the loose, and made up for being out scrimmaged by being peerless in the lineout. Flatleaf having an imperious day, earning himself the man of the match award, dominant on our ball he consistently stole Cuffley ball giving great turnover opportunities.

The backs showed far better organisation on defence, only really looking troubled on turnover ball. A small pitch meant that the outstanding pace in the back three could never be truly exploited. What was pleasing though is that Q’s adapted by using switch ball with the winger coming inside on a number of occasions. Pookie’s kicking was spot on for the day, giving him the confidence to aim penalty kicks at the corner flag to see how close he could get. Hogg must get an honourable mention as well for being as safe as houses under the high ball all day, returning with interest, well as safe as houses pre credit crunch anyway.

The second half was more problematic with Cuffley helped by the slop gaining a period of dominance and clawing back two tries, however Quintin’s fifth try killed the game. From that point Cuffley gave up trying to recover and instead focussed on getting as many cheap shots in as possible from gouging to punching, leading to a player heading to the bin when the referee, who had a good game in general, had seen one to many handbag being thrown.

After the match Cooney commented on the early season optimism from the fans of sunshine rugby ‘today we showed, in places, how good we can play, from the strength in the forwards to the dazzling speed in the backs. An excellent start to the season  but as always a cautionary note, that we can not take any game for granted and we still have a very long way to go’. Cooney went on to add, “More pleasing from a personal point of view is that Emma has managed not to lose her handbag for the second week running” in response premier WAG Jonathan responded that her grasp of games such as loose head forward was getting better, aiding in her ability to remember where she put the thing!

Cuffley RFC 10 - 27 Quintin 1^st XV

Tries: Damo, Alex, Cooney, Sanger Kerr

Drop Goals:

Penalties:

Conversions: Sanger (20%)