St Albans need to beat Hemel Hempstead on Saturday in a battle at the foot of the London 2NW table if they are to salvage anything from their season.

It may still be early in the current campaign but Saturday’s derby could determine which teams face the drop at its conclusion.

St Albans have won one of their eight games, which is one more than Hemel, who have lost all seven of theirs, but sit 12 points behind the team directly ahead of them, Old Haberdashers.

The gap was increased at the weekend as OHs won 24-3 at St Albans to earn five points. Mark Kentish kicked the Saints’ only points of the game to bring the score to 12-3. OHs increased their lead with an unconverted try before the break.

St Albans’ best move of the game came after the interval. Starting deep in their own territory, Brenton Lemiere broke the line but when he was hauled down by OHs’ full-back the support was too far away.

The hosts pressed but an injury to Sam Millicheap ended their hopes of a bonus point.