Silverware will adorn the Welwyn Rugby clubhouse for the second time in three years - and they have a sense this could just be the start for their promising young squad.

The Herts Presidents' Tankard is theirs after a 17-12 victory over Cheshunt in what was a absorbing final played at St Albans.

And after a sixth-placed finish in the Counties One Herts Middlesex table too, and boasting a number of very impressive teenagers, the future seems very bright for the Hobbs Way outfit.

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Welwyn Rugby Club celebrate.Welwyn Rugby Club celebrate. (Image: Neil Metcalfe)

"It's a really good time at the club," said coach Gareth Hughes. "Rugby is on a bit of a bad run in the community game but we’ve worked hard to make Welwyn a welcoming club. 

"And first or second team, we've got a group of young lads who enjoy each other's company. 

"They're committed too and hopefully in the next two to three years we'll look really promising."

A more than welcomed two month break now awaits before they jump back into the grind of a league season, and Hughes believes there is more to come.

He said: "It's been non-stop since July and pre-season really, pretty intense. 

"We’ll have a few beers and then a couple months off and then we go again next year in what will probably be a more competitive league. 

"But we've had a great year and [a good season] is all about availability and consistency and on the whole, we've probably had the most consistent squad we've had for a number of years.

"Coming sixth in the league, is about right for us but I think we can be better. 

"And as long as we keep enjoying ourselves, and we keep our standards, then who knows?"

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Welwyn take a line-out in their win over Cheshunt.Welwyn take a line-out in their win over Cheshunt. (Image: Neil Metcalfe)

The game itself had seen Welwyn on top in the opening five minutes, only to ship two tries in short order to leave some wondering if it wasn't going to be their day.

However, they were back level by half-time, Jake Riley barrelling through and under the posts for the first, converted by Kai Wells, and then the forwards pushing over in the final minutes of the half, Tom Hamer with the final touch.

Cheshunt had a spell with two men in the sin-bin in the first 20 minutes after the break but it still took time for Welwyn to finally find their way in, Liam Scofield crossing for what turned out to be the winning try.

The east Herts club made them work for the victory too in the final 10 minutes but Welwyn were only denied a fourth try in stoppage time, a forward pass ruling that out.

"It's just magic," said Hughes. "We started our season at this ground in pre-season against St Albans and we're finishing it here against a really, really top quality Cheshunt side. 

"The lads put absolutely everything into it. Going 12-0 down with 20 minutes gone, it looked a bit bleak, but we dug really deep and played some really decent rugby. 

"That's the big work on for us moving forward as a group, but we’re a bunch of young, young lads and I think when you get to the try-line, we just need calmer heads. 

"Sometimes we panicked a bit and fair play to Cheshunt, they held us up three or four times. 

"I don't know, maybe it was one of those games where we should have taken points. 

"But we always back ourselves to try and put the put the game to bed."