Cheshunt Rugby Football Club is an amateur rugby union club based in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, England. The club currently run both a first and second team, a ladies team, and a youth section ranging from Under-7's to Under-18's.[1] The senior men's first team currently compete in Counties 1 Herts/Middlesex whilst the second team plays in the Hertfordshire and Middlesex merit table system.[2] The women's team compete in National Challenge 2 South East (North East).[3] The club itself is currently affiliated with the Hertfordshire Rugby Football union.[4]

Cheshunt
Full nameCheshunt Rugby Football Club
UnionHertfordshire RFU
Founded1952
RegionCheshunt, Hertfordshire, England
Ground(s)Andrew's Lane
ChairmanPaul Wharton
PresidentBrian Lodge
Captain(s)Reece Shoobridge
League(s)Counties 1 Herts/Middlesex
2024-253rd
Official website
www.cheshuntrugby.co.uk

History

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The club was founded in 1952 as 'Old Cestrians' by a number of Old Boys from the now defunct Cheshunt Grammar School, playing their rugby at a ground along Goffs Land provided by the local council.[5] The club changed its ground to a nearby location on Andrew's Lane in 1962 and in 1966 changed their name to Cheshunt RFC.[5] With this name change, the club finally began to allow members to play who hadn't attended Cheshunt Grammar School. The club were awarded the RFU's seal of approval in 2004, one of the first clubs in England to receive this.[6]

The club enjoyed their best period of competitive success during the 1980-90's, where they regularly competed in the Level 5 division London 1. The club were runners up in the division in the 1990-91 season, the club's highest ever league position.[7] The club eventually fell down the leagues, being relegated as far as Herts/Middlesex 2 during the 2007-08 season, although they were promoted straight back up in 2nd place.[8] After a period of success, the club were promoted to their current league after they were crowned unbeaten champions of Counties 2 Herts/Middlesex in the 2022-23 season.[9] Cheshunt were also granted a new artificial 3g pitch from the RFU through its Rugby 365 programme, with the pitch being completed in 2018.[10]

Current Standings

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2024–25 Counties 1 Herts/Middlesex table
Pos Team Pld W D L PF PA PD TB LB Pts Qualification
1 Finchley 9 9 0 0 346 86 +260 9 0 45 Promotion place
2 Brunel University 9 7 1 1 483 130 +353 9 1 40
3 Cheshunt 9 7 1 1 435 119 +316 8 1 39
4 Ealing Trailfinders 1871 9 8 0 1 326 141 +185 6 0 38
5 Old Streetonians 9 5 1 3 224 245 −21 4 0 26
6 Hitchin 9 4 1 4 208 304 −96 4 0 22
7 Ruislip 9 3 0 6 213 360 −147 5 1 18
8 Welwyn 9 3 0 6 187 299 −112 4 1 17
9 Chiswick 9 2 0 7 162 339 −177 4 1 13
10 Fullerians 9 2 0 7 150 343 −193 3 0 11
11 Hackney 9 2 0 7 128 334 −206 2 0 10 Relegation place
12 Datchworth 9 0 0 9 149 311 −162 1 2 3
Updated to match(es) played on 16 November 2024. Source: RFU [11]
Rules for classification: If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled


References

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  1. ^ "Cheshunt Rugby Club teams". www.cheshuntrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  2. ^ "Search Results | Rugby Football Union". www.englandrugby.com. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  3. ^ "Search Results | Rugby Football Union". www.englandrugby.com. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  4. ^ "Find a Club – Herts Rugby Football Union". hertsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  5. ^ a b "History Of Cheshunt RFC". www.cheshuntrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  6. ^ "Celebrate the Official Opening of New 3G Rugby Pitch". SAPCA. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  7. ^ Williams, Tony (1992). Courage Official Rugby Union Club Directory 1991–92 (4th ed.). Taunton: Football Directories. ISBN 1-869833-15-5.
  8. ^ "Search Results | Rugby Football Union". www.englandrugby.com. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  9. ^ "Search Results | Rugby Football Union". www.englandrugby.com. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  10. ^ Alice (2018-06-04). "New 3G Pitch at Cheshunt Rugby Club". McArdle Sport. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
  11. ^ https://www.englandrugby.com/fixtures-and-results/search-results?team=4636&competition=261&division=56610&season=2024-2025#tables