Bishop’s Stortford Chindits dedicate Hertfordshire cup final victory to former captain Max Oliver

Bishop’s Stortford Chindits dedicated their Hertfordshire Merit Cup final victory over Hertford on Saturday (April 26) to former captain Max Oliver.

The Silver Leys club’s fourth XV beat their Hertford counterparts 38-19 on home soil to successfully defend the trophy.

And they were thrilled to win in memory of Oliver, who died of a suspected cardiac arrest in September at the age of just 31. He had joined the club as a junior and was the son of former chairman Perry Oliver.

Stortford were 21-7 ahead at half time thanks to tries from Will Marriot, Ollie Broughton and Harry Clenshaw, with Sam Stockley converting all three.

The hosts proved too strong for their opponents once again in the second period. Broughton and Ben Misham claimed converted scores and Stockley also kicked a penalty.

Chindits captain Andrew Mackenzie said he and his vice-skipper Stockley were determined to triumph for their former team-mate and “fallen brother” Oliver.

“We lost the ultimate Chindit at the start of the season and we made a pledge to retain the cup for him,” said Mackenzie.