Harpenden arrow back to top spot with six-try success over Harrow
Ryan Gue bursts forward for Harpenden against Harrow. Picture: KARYN HADDON - Credit: Archant
Harpenden returned to the top spot of London North West Two with a 34-0 win over strugglers Harrow at Redbourn Lane.
Harpenden celebrate Conor McClean's try in the victory over Harrow. Picture: KARYN HADDON - Credit: Archant
They were helped by HAC losing to second-placed Hampstead in a tight game, with Harpenden’s bonus point giving them a one-point lead over the north London side, with HAC a further point behind.
They bagged six tries in the victory, Adam Wilkinson getting two of them and Ollie Mann, Jim Hamilton, Conor McLean and Tom Sweeney, who also helped himself to two conversions, scoring one each.
The win was made even sweeter by the fact Harps had to make six changes with half-a-dozen first-team regulars missing.
Skipper Oli Lacey said: “I’m very happy. This was a good win against a team who belied their league position by making us work hard all the way.
Harpenden RFC V Harrow - Adam Wilkinson in action for Harpenden. Picture: Karyn Haddon. - Credit: Archant
“I’m really pleased by the way those who came in today stepped up so well, particularly as some were not playing in their normal positions.
“And while I think we left a few points out on the pitch, I’m delighted that we did not concede a point.”
Most Read
- 1 Recap: Rail delays through St Albans and Harpenden after train hits branch
- 2 Fire crews receive 'multiple' 999 calls amid large blaze at Welham Green
- 3 Goods worth more than £260 in total stolen from St Albans Co-op store
- 4 Clarence Park deckchairs banned following council concerns
- 5 Teenager ‘robbed at knife-point' by two males in Hemel Hempstead
- 6 Katherine Ryan and Romesh Ranganathan spotted filming in St Albans
- 7 Church welcomes gay community event as part of St Albans Pub Pride
- 8 New play areas open at Harpenden parks
- 9 Can you answer these 10 GCSE questions designed for 16-year-olds?
- 10 Recap: Two crashes disrupting M1 and M25 drivers near St Albans
Stand-off Mann opened the scoring on just three minutes with a try in the left-hand corner and five minutes later full-back Hamilton touched down in exactly the same spot.
With Harpenden’s pack dominant in the loose and the tight, and the backs looking threatening every time they got the ball, it was only a matter of time before they scored again.
Harpenden RFC V Harrow - Oliver Mann in action for Harpenden. Picture: Karyn Haddon. - Credit: Archant
Outside centre Wilkinson touched down for their third try on 23 minutes and two minutes later his centre partner McLean scored the try of the game to touch down under the posts.
Although Harrow came out strongly in the second half, Harps’ defence held firm.
Winger Sweeney added a fifth on 55 minutes and Wilkinson finished off the rout eight minutes from time.
Harpenden’s final league game of 2017 takes them to eighth-placed Hemel Hempstead on Saturday.
Harpenden RFC V Harrow - Tom Sanders in action for Harpenden. Picture: Karyn Haddon. - Credit: Archant
