Hemel Stags take on local rivals and North London Cup holders, St Albans on Sunday 15th March at Pennine Way. 2.00pm KO

In which will be the first match for both teams I,m sure the game will blow off the cobwebs. These games are always a crowd pleaser and I,m sure that Troy and Shane have prepared their teams well.

The all new matchday cafe will be open for breakfast from 10.30 till 12.00. Lunches will be served from 12.00 noon.

Head coach Troy Perkins was upbeat about the fixture even with so many of the squad unavailable for selection . He said "All the players are looking forward to their first hit out of the season. There has been a real buzz at training and numbers have been great with everyone working hard in preperation for this season. We have a a fair few first teamers unavailable for various reasons however we will give debuts to new signings such as big prop James Howitt from Coventry Bears and Michael Crosby from Redcliffe. This game also gives me an opportunity to look at some of our under 18s players that have been performing well for the North London Stags throughout the winter. I think this season will be an exciting one on and off the pitch and a good performance on Sunday will indicate we are heading in the right direction."

Hemel humbled their neighbours and close friends St Albans in a exciting derby match.

Match report to follow.

36-32 is hardly a humbling is it ?

Confirmed score was 38 - 32. The extra 2 points make it a humbling

indeed !!!

Hemel Stags took to the field for the first time this season to take on local rivals St Albans in bright sunshine at Pennine Way. Hemel fielded a team of only 4 players that completed in the RLCN last season. Troy Perkins, Hemel’s head coach had 13 players unavailable for this clash but the depth in the squad was enough to subdue a plucky St Albans. Oli O’Mara ran in the first try after 5 mins after a dazzling 25 meter run through his middle of the field that left St Albans standing and admiring his class. Hemel was prevented from extending their lead on 12 mins when a final pass was adjudged forward. St Albans started to get into the game and scored 4 unanswered tries, The Stags found themselves 4- 22 behind. On the half hour mark hardworking hooker Gareth Swindells went in for his first of two tries. In the next set of six Hemel’s new prop Tim Stevens lost the ball over the line but made amends shortly after with some good work to offload to Oli O’Mara to go in for his second try. St Albans scored two quick tries when Hemel interchanged the big man up front which allowed St Albans to see more of the ball. With 20 minutes to go St Albans were leading 16- 32, but with the never say die attitude of Hemel’s young 17yr olds of Connor-Boyd Barnes, George Stevens, Eric Grimley and Kieran Dixon they put St Albans to the sword. Connor Boyd Barnes was the first to go over after ghosting past three St Albans defenders to touchdown he’s first try. And typical props try from James Howitt powering over, and minutes later Gareth Swindells stretch out and scored under the post despite the attention of two defenders putting Hemel in front for the first time that afternoon. There was a few handbags when St Albans felt hard done by a late tackle even though the ref called play on, not held, resulted in a St Albans player taking the law into he’s own hands, but the ref handled the situation well and quickly restored order. Conner-Boyd Barnes had the last say when he went over to complete he’s second try. Final score 38-32

Troy Perkins was happy with the teams’ days work even though there was a lot of handling errors early on in the game. But he was happy with how the players kept at the task at hand and refused to be beaten. Next week Hemel travel to London Skolars knowing that a win there will land them the North London Cup.