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The Hertfordshire/Middlesex Merit Tables were created in 2002 to provide all those rugby sides from the Hertfordshire, Middlesex and Buckinghamshire County Unions, which were not playing in the Rugby Football Union National Leagues or other merit tables, an opportunity to play in a competitive structured competition. The clubs are generally located in an area within 20 miles of the triangle formed by the A1/M1/A505.
The teams participating are normally the 2nd, 3rd and 4th XVs of clubs, although several smaller clubs have entered their 1st XVs. The Merit Tables are also used as a starting point for newly formed clubs to demonstrate their playing and administrative abilities before being accepted into the RFU League Structure.
At the start of our tenth season, the number of teams involved has grown from 12 in one merit table in 2002 to 74 teams who will compete in the seven tables this season, playing for 42 clubs. In 2006, an end of season Knock-Out Competition was successfully introduced. This gave all clubs the opportunity to keep their players active and facilities in use until the last Saturday in April, as well as providing all the players, who get through to the Main and Plate Finals, a great day out to end their season. In 2011 the finals were played at Barnet Elizabethans and Saracens Amateur Rugby Clubs.
Finals Day Action - April 2011
Another great day of rugby, played at Barnet Elizabethans and Saracens Amateur grounds. On an April Saturday with fine weather, hard pitches and 28 teams plus their supporters enjoying the spectacle of competitive rugby at two very hospitable clubs.
Tring 3rd XV turn the tables on Hampstead 2nd XV to win the Merit Table 1
Knock-Out Competition final at Barnet Elizabethans RFC
Finchley 2nd secure the ball in a the closest game of the day with
Hitchin 2nd in the Table 2 Plate Final
Tabard 2nd XV celebrate winning the double of Merit Table 3 and their
Merit Table 3 Knock-Out Competition
Meanwhile, over at the Saracens Amateur's ground, the successful Welwyn 3rd XV
were celebrating their double season after beating Bishop Stortford 5th 25-17
"He went that way!" Action from the Merit Table 4 Plate Final between Mill Hill 1st XV, and UCSOBs 3rd XV, which Mill Hill won 13- 5
Hitchin and Harpenden 4th XVs in Table 7 Final action
South Oxhey get clean ball away against Hertford 6th in the early start at Barnet
Hertfordshire Referees Society provided teams of three for all games at
Barnet Elizabethans and Saracens Amateur grounds
This web site has been introduced to keep everyone aware of the latest results, tables, fixtures, vacant fixtures, rules and background information. Until now all the information had been fed to club contacts by email, although this process still has a vital part to play in providing basic data for the website.
Now any club member or supporter can gain access to this website to find out the latest results and catch-up on their club's overall performance in the Hertfordshire & Middlesex Merit Tables.
Fred McCarthy
Organiser
Hertfordshire RFU
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