![Herts Advertiser: Henry Simcott of Harpenden RUFC reaches for a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Henry Simcott of Harpenden RUFC reaches for a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Henry Simcott of Harpenden RUFC reaches for a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
The 47-5 success against the west Londoners in London One North came courtesy of a powerful pack providing a new and exciting backline with plenty of attacking opportunities, which they gobbled up with glee.
![Herts Advertiser: Ben Campion and Sean McLoughlin of Harpenden RUFC make a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Ben Campion and Sean McLoughlin of Harpenden RUFC make a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Ben Campion and Sean McLoughlin of Harpenden RUFC make a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
There were two tries for Max Baggio while the newly-returned Bobby Tane, Tom Sweeney and Ollie Mann also crossed the whitewash.
![Herts Advertiser: Tom Rolfe of Harpenden RUFC makes a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Tom Rolfe of Harpenden RUFC makes a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Tom Rolfe of Harpenden RUFC makes a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Sweeney missed with just one of his seven conversion attempts.
![Herts Advertiser: Michael Goode of Harpenden RUFC dives to try and block a kick in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Michael Goode of Harpenden RUFC dives to try and block a kick in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Michael Goode of Harpenden RUFC dives to try and block a kick in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
While naturally happy with the tries scored, jubilant skipper Oli Lacey praised the defensive aspects of his team's game.
![Herts Advertiser: Henry Simcott of Harpenden RUFC reaches for a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Henry Simcott of Harpenden RUFC reaches for a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Henry Simcott of Harpenden RUFC reaches for a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
He said: "We were confident before the game of getting a result because we knew we had the power up front and were bolstered by new players coming into the back-line.
![Herts Advertiser: Matt Deane of Harpenden RUFC holds on in the tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Matt Deane of Harpenden RUFC holds on in the tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Matt Deane of Harpenden RUFC holds on in the tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
"But it was our defence that won us the game because at 14-0 it still could have gone either way."
![Herts Advertiser: Ed Preston of Harpenden RUFC carries the ball forward in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Ed Preston of Harpenden RUFC carries the ball forward in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Ed Preston of Harpenden RUFC carries the ball forward in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
After cagey opening exchanges in which neither side was able to dominate, Deane broke the deadlock on 15 minutes when he raced on to a Tane pass to touch down near the posts.
![Herts Advertiser: Ollie Lacey (c) of Harpenden RUFC carries the ball forward in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Ollie Lacey (c) of Harpenden RUFC carries the ball forward in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Ollie Lacey (c) of Harpenden RUFC carries the ball forward in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
And three minutes later Tane, back at Harpenden after a year in Spain, went over in the left-hand corner after a great break by teenage winger Henry Simcott.
![Herts Advertiser: Bobby Tane of Harpenden RUFC goes over to score in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Bobby Tane of Harpenden RUFC goes over to score in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Bobby Tane of Harpenden RUFC goes over to score in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Priorians fought desperately to get back into the game but despite enjoying plenty of possession and territory, fantastic defence by Harps kept them out and preserved the 14-0 half-time lead.
![Herts Advertiser: Henry Simcott of Harpenden RUFC gets past his opponent in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Henry Simcott of Harpenden RUFC gets past his opponent in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Henry Simcott of Harpenden RUFC gets past his opponent in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Five minutes into the second half Sweeney scored the try of the day, racing 70 metres after OPs had spilled possession deep inside the hosts' 22.
![Herts Advertiser: Miles Lear and Bobby Tane of Harpenden RUFC combine in a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Miles Lear and Bobby Tane of Harpenden RUFC combine in a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Miles Lear and Bobby Tane of Harpenden RUFC combine in a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
And eight minutes later right-wing Baggio brought up the try bonus point when he touched down following another break by the impressive Deane.
![Herts Advertiser: Matt Deane of Harpenden RUFC celebrates in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Matt Deane of Harpenden RUFC celebrates in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Matt Deane of Harpenden RUFC celebrates in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
Deane got his second try on 65 minutes after a fine run by Tom Stagg and shortly afterwards Baggio touched down for his second and Harps' sixth try after another Deane break.
![Herts Advertiser: Matt Deane of Harpenden RUFC gets away from his tackle to score in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Matt Deane of Harpenden RUFC gets away from his tackle to score in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Matt Deane of Harpenden RUFC gets away from his tackle to score in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
OPs, who had continued to battle hard, were finally rewarded with a try on 77 minutes by hooker Ben Ridley.
![Herts Advertiser: Matt Deane of Harpenden RUFC gets away from his tackle to score in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Matt Deane of Harpenden RUFC gets away from his tackle to score in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Matt Deane of Harpenden RUFC gets away from his tackle to score in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
But the last word belonged to Harpenden when Mann capped a superb display with a try under the posts in the final play of the game.
![Herts Advertiser: Matt Deane of Harpenden RUFC gets away from his tackle to score in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Matt Deane of Harpenden RUFC gets away from his tackle to score in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Matt Deane of Harpenden RUFC gets away from his tackle to score in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
![Herts Advertiser: Miles Lear and Ollie Lacey (c) of Harpenden RUFC make a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Miles Lear and Ollie Lacey (c) of Harpenden RUFC make a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Miles Lear and Ollie Lacey (c) of Harpenden RUFC make a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
![Herts Advertiser: Tom Rolfe of Harpenden RUFC goes up for a line out in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Tom Rolfe of Harpenden RUFC goes up for a line out in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Tom Rolfe of Harpenden RUFC goes up for a line out in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
![Herts Advertiser: Tom Rolfe of Harpenden RUFC loses the ball in a line out in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Tom Rolfe of Harpenden RUFC loses the ball in a line out in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Tom Rolfe of Harpenden RUFC loses the ball in a line out in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
![Herts Advertiser: Bobby Tane of Harpenden RUFC in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Bobby Tane of Harpenden RUFC in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Bobby Tane of Harpenden RUFC in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
![Herts Advertiser: Michael Goode and Peter Sims of Harpenden RUFC make a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Michael Goode and Peter Sims of Harpenden RUFC make a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Michael Goode and Peter Sims of Harpenden RUFC make a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
![Herts Advertiser: Tom Sweeney of Harpenden RUFC tries to rip the ball away in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Tom Sweeney of Harpenden RUFC tries to rip the ball away in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Tom Sweeney of Harpenden RUFC tries to rip the ball away in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
![Herts Advertiser: Matt Deane and Ollie Lacey (c) of Harpenden RUFC take down a Old PrioriansÕ player in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Matt Deane and Ollie Lacey (c) of Harpenden RUFC take down a Old PrioriansÕ player in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Matt Deane and Ollie Lacey (c) of Harpenden RUFC take down a Old PrioriansÕ player in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
![Herts Advertiser: Michael Goode of Harpenden RUFC carries the ball forward in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Michael Goode of Harpenden RUFC carries the ball forward in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Michael Goode of Harpenden RUFC carries the ball forward in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
![Herts Advertiser: Bobby Tane of Harpenden RUFC forces a mistake in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Bobby Tane of Harpenden RUFC forces a mistake in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Bobby Tane of Harpenden RUFC forces a mistake in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
![Herts Advertiser: Matt Deane of Harpenden RUFC loses the ball in a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Matt Deane of Harpenden RUFC loses the ball in a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Matt Deane of Harpenden RUFC loses the ball in a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
![Herts Advertiser: Miles Lear and Bobby Tane of Harpenden RUFC combine in a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Miles Lear and Bobby Tane of Harpenden RUFC combine in a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Miles Lear and Bobby Tane of Harpenden RUFC combine in a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
![Herts Advertiser: Michael Goode of Harpenden RUFC makes a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Michael Goode of Harpenden RUFC makes a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Michael Goode of Harpenden RUFC makes a tackle in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
![Herts Advertiser: Bobby Tane of Harpenden RUFC forces a mistake in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO]( "Herts Advertiser: Bobby Tane of Harpenden RUFC forces a mistake in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO")
Bobby Tane of Harpenden RUFC forces a mistake in the match between Harpenden v Old Priorians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)
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