St Albans Rugby Club bagged three tries but were unable to secure a point against high-flying Grasshoppers at Boggymead, going down to a 35-23 defeat.

From the outset, the visitors displayed why they are one of the form sides in London North West Three.

Their play was organised, direct and purposeful and although Saints stood their ground, an arm injury denied them the services of centre Dan Townson early on.

And while he was being treated Hoppers opened the scoring.

Townson’s departure called for a reorganisation and the home side set about the task of stabilising their back division.

A Nick Woolley penalty got them on the board but it wasn’t long before Grasshoppers added another try following a powerful run from their lock-forward.

Another Woolley penalty was added but in reply the visitors responded with a penalty and a further try to give them a comfortable 20-6 lead.

An excellent Sam Millicheap try, which saw him race fully two thirds of the pitch, did bring St Albans back to 20-11 at half-time but Grasshoppers took command early in the second half with a penalty and unconverted try to extend their superiority.

St Albans were not done however and after some serious forward pressure, Fraser Morris powered over for a try.

Grasshoppers replied again with another try, this time using their skilful back-line to work the opening, which was converted.

But as in the previous week, St Albans stuck to their guns and did not go down without a fight.

The home side mounted wave after wave of attack and were justly rewarded when late replacement Jeremy Walmsley drove over for a score converted by Woolley.

The result lifts Grasshoppers into third while St Albans remain eighth.