Henley IIIs 17-52 Amersham & Chiltern IIs

By David Lewis

Henley 3’s difficulties with a shortage of players and early injuries have made it a disappointing start to this first quarter of the season.  Newly promoted after the astounding success of last season, by winning every single game, and with only one loss in the previous season, the 3’s had hoped for better.

The same challenges were faced again last Saturday afternoon against Amersham and Chiltern 2’s, with only 12 players available, including being one short in the front row.

This required Henley to offer to play it competitively within certain RFU rules known as ‘game on’ or play it as a friendly by conceding the game and, therefore, the points.  Amersham chose to opt for the friendly which at least saved Henley from being deducted points but denied them the opportunity to gain points had they won.

Amersham took to the field for this ‘friendly’ with 15 players against Henley’s 12.  This player advantage gave Amersham a very prompt converted try within only minutes from Henley’s kick off.  However, despite Henley’s player disadvantage their 12 players showed real determination and talent from the off and Henley responded immediately with an unconverted try from Ollie Heard on the wing.

Amersham were able to notch up two more converted tries before Aaron Bello simply outsprinted all of the Amersham backs to take another unconverted try.  At 21 points to 10 in Amersham’s favour within 20 minutes, it was looking to be a difficult afternoon for Henley.

Despite repeated incursions into Amersham’s half, it was simply too difficult for Henley to defend against such numerical advantage and by half time it was 40 points to 10 for Amersham.  The referee to his credit suggested calling the game at that point but Henley were still keen to continue.  The referee agreed, albeit reserving the right to end this game at his discretion, as it was a friendly and not obliged to meet the 60 minutes minimum playing rule.

Due to injuries on both sides, Henley were only able to start the second half with 10 players, to Amersham’s 14.  Amersham went on to score two more tries but after Louis Heard notched up Henley’s third try, converted by scrum half, Tom Longley, the referee stopped the game, with Amersham claiming the win by 52 points to 17.

It was a truly heroic performance by Henley given the odds against them.