Harpenden recorded an emphatic victory over league leaders Staines at Redbourn Lane on Saturday, running in seven tries in a 52-12 rout.

Winger Adam Sterling set the tone with a third-minute try before his fellow backs shut the door on Staines’ instant reply. From then on it was a case of how many points can Harpenden score as their pack harried their opponents into submission and the backs showed a ruthlessness with and without the ball.

After converting Sterling’s early try, Aaron Wilde was perfect with his next three kicks, two conversions, from Sterling and Max Baggio scores, and a penalty to give Harpenden a 24-5 lead.

In the second half Harpenden played to their potential and showed how far they had come under coach Matt Davies.

The icing on the cake was the performance of Michael Goode at no.8. He scored twice using his strength to force his way to the Staines’ line – the second from a lineout 15 metres out.

Baggio got his second with a 50-metre run-in and back row Chris Wilkinson completed the rout. Wilde converted all four tries to take his day’s point tally to 17.

Harpenden’s next league game is Away against Hammersmith & Fulham.