Meanwhile, the 2nds top the JRA league table, the Ladies are lying second in their maiden season in NC South East South 2 with a game in hand on the leaders and the Colts, who are providing more and more players for the senior ranks, are going well in the Sussex league.

The bad news was that the first XV lost for a fifth time in six matches, but they pushed Hertford mightily hard under the lights before losing 15-20.

The results undoubtedly hinged on the early dismissal of Guernsey prop Layton Batiste who saw red for a punch.

Sam Whitehead had a good game with the boot, landing five penalties.

‘There are positives to take from the game and I think two weeks ago we would have been beaten by nearer 40 points by this Hertford side,’ said coach Jordan Reynolds.

‘We are building and we will have Glen [Walters] and Malcolm [Barnes] back next week so things are going to change.’

The match turned on the 13th minute dismissal of Layton for throwing a punch.

Undoubtedly he was guilty and gave his colleagues a mountain to climb, yet by half-time we were 9-3 ahead with Sam Whitehead slotting over three penalties.

Could we hang on?

Well, no but it was a terrific effort and the next game can’t come quick enough.

Given the quality in the squad and the large number of matches still to play, the objective of finishing in the top four can be obtained.