Verulamians completed the double over neighbours St Albans with a 41-12 win at Boggymead – a result that fires them back to the summit of London North West Three.

It remains incredibly tight at the top, but Grasshoppers inability to take a bonus point against Kilburn Cosmos means Vees leapfrog them by virtue of a better points difference, with Welwyn a further two points back in third.

Saints sit 10th but such is the tightness of the division that they are only six points behind Cheshunt who are four places ahead.

And it was they who took the lead in the opening 10 minutes with a well-deserved try after some impressive forward power.

But Vees then began to assert themselves and after gaining a penalty, Alex Ricci slotted over their first points of the afternoon.

Play was then concentrated in midfield until Ben Russell burst forward from 40 metres out to score under the posts.

Ricci converted and did so again after a chip over the advancing St Albans defence allowed George Irwin to pick up and score.

It left the score at 17-5 at half-time, a lead they never looked like relinquishing.

Three more points for Vees at the start of the second period stretched their lead but some well-timed substitutions, after an injury to the Saints 10, brought a second home try.

However, this only spurred on a now rampant Verulamians’ back division to scythe through the opposition defence with Chris Gillespie, Adam Rees and Ricci scoring the remaining points.

They resume their fight for the championship on January 6 when they host Old Streetonians while St Albans will travel to Welwyn.

However, this will not be either club’s next fixture as they will get together with Old Albanian for the annual Christmas charity game.

That will take place at Verulamians on December 30 with a 12 noon kick-off.

It will be in aid of The OLLIE (One Life Lost is Enough) Foundation in the wake of one of Old Verulamians RFC’s juniors tragically passing away earlier this season.

All are welcome to attend and watch.