St Albans came out on top of an amazing 84-point game, winning 53-31 at Staines in London North West Three.

Ollie Fountain grabbed a hat-trick while Jeremy Walmsley scored twice as St Albans ran in nine tries.

Sam Lowery, Sam Millicheap, Ed Mason and Joe Fleece got the others with Fountain adding four conversions.

It was a game Saints couldn’t afford to lose against a side still searching for their first win of the year.

And despite their lowly position, Staines played with real spirit and determination, matching the visitors for the majority of the first half.

One sweeping move just before the break that put St Albans under the posts for a 24-17 interval lead was the only difference.

However, the game swung early in the second period when Saints ran in three tries without reply, Fountain completing a hat-trick and looking unstoppable at outside centre.

But then they seemed to take their foot off the gas and Staines fought back with two tries of their own.

St Albans rallied thanks in part to the work of Mike Bennet, Walmsley and Fraser Morris and as they regained their composure, so the hosts started to tire.

Further scores put the result beyond question but they know they have to be more consistent and not allow lapses in concentration to disrupt their pattern of play.

St Albans are back at Boggymead on Saturday when they entertain Kilburn Cosmos.