Disputed try costs Harpenden the win at Hammersmith

A disputed try right at the death cost Harpenden Rugby Club victory at second-placed Hammersmith & Fulham.

With Harps leading 20-15 in the closing seconds, Hammersmith were awarded a try although it appeared to some that there had been a foot in touch before the ball was carried over the try line.

Fortunately the conversion attempt sailed wide of the posts leaving the final score tied at 20-20.

In a see-saw game played on a very heavy pitch, the Hammers struck first with an unconverted try before Harps full back Ollie Brown touched down after a quickly taken tap penalty.

It was converted by Tom Sweeney who kicked a penalty after another unconverted try for the hosts to leave the sides level at half-time.

Despite losing prop George Rolfe with a suspected fractured arm early in the second half, Harps, who were kicking very well, took the lead again with a try from scrum-half Fred Gulliford, converted once more by Sweeney.

Hammersmith scored another unconverted try before Sweeney continued his accuracy with the boot, extending Harpenden’s lead with a penalty.

The result keeps Harps in fifth-place in London Two North West.

Enfield Ignatians supply the next challenge on March 5 at Redbourn Lane.