The 3rd May 1997, the same day that Katrina and The Waves were victorious in the Eurovision Song Contest will forever be etched into the memories of not just those who love the kitsch continental singing contest but also to all of the rugby supporters of Harpenden and the surrounding area. As the club brought home the NPI Junior Cup following a victory at Twickenham over Cheshire club Crewe & Nantwich by 34 points to 31 after extra time in front of over 2,000 spectators.

This enormous achievement was no flash in the pan, it came on the back of number of seasons of sustained success. After dropping in Herts League 1 in the mid 90s, the club began to climb back through the tables. Winning that same league in the 1995/1996 season, followed by Herts Middlesex 1 in 1996/1997, that national cup win and culminated in securing top spot in London 3NW in 1997/98.

These were truly the halcyon days of HRFC.

Going back to that momentous season that concluded at HQ in May 1997, the team had cruised through the early rounds including a 130-3 first round romping over Royal Hospitals. This was followed by numerous and wide ranging further rounds with victories over Hitchin (58-5), London Cornish(45-11), Feltham (37-5), Felixstowe (66-5), Folkestone (30-6) and Tonbridge (29-14).

Before the final kicked off, Harpenden were dealt a blow with talismanic captain Chris Wright breaking his foot in the final moment of the last game of the league campaign that had seen the club secure the championship, which rendered him unfit to play.

The final itself was a contrast of two styles with Crewe and Nantwich adamant on employing their bigger pack to their advantage. Whereas the Harps tactics were very much centered around the running game that had seen them record such convincing scorelines on their way to the big event.

Despite going down early by 13-3 Harpenden were able to push forward with their superior fitness and unrelenting desire to run the ball paying dividends after an incredibly tight game had gone to extra time.

The squad who were able to guide the club to glory and forever have their names etched into HRFC history were:

1. David Alpert
2. Des Collier
3. Duncan Craddock
4. David Foster
5. David Horsley
6. Thomas Stanford
7. Andrew MacPherson
8. Dan Phillips

9. Rob Humphrey
10. Dean Ford
11. Andrew Phillips
12. David Talbot
13. Simon Smith
14. Nick Sinfield
15. Tony Baxter

16. James Cartmel
17. Andy Kiff
18. Ian Hamilton
19. Paul Butler
20. Neil Courtney
21. Charles Openshaw

Club Captain: Chris Wright.

These club legends are now immortalized in the stairway of the clubhouse with their iconic caricature portraits emblazoned on the wall.

Harpenden became the first club in Hertfordshire to bring home this trophy and brought immense pride to the club and the county in the process.