London Three North West Harpenden 20 Haringey 17 HARPENDEN produced a fine team display to gain some vital points in London North West Three on Saturday against Haringey. The front five for Harps provided a solid platform for the rest of the team and the

London Three North West Harpenden 20 Haringey 17 HARPENDEN produced a fine team display to gain some vital points in London North West Three on Saturday against Haringey. The front five for Harps provided a solid platform for the rest of the team and the back-row of Henderson, Arrowsmith and Brooks, were a constant threat around the breakdowns and with the ball in hand. The Barton brothers were also in top form while the back three looked dangerous. The Redborn Laners played some wonderful rugby to delight their home fans and Haringey were ultimately denied by some resolute defending from Harps, spurred on by the astute leadership of captain Bunn. Harps employed an expansive game plan from the off and were rewarded when Alan Barton seized some good ball from the forwards and scythed through the Haringey defence to race over the line. The try should have been a precursor of further scores but Haringey, to their credit, responded well and kicked three points. Harps regained their dominance of the match with some good lineout-ball and solid scrums, as Arrowsmith broke to set up the likes of Kearns and Leyland. Bunn finished a well-executed catch-and-drive move to crash over for Harpenden but Haringey struck back with a try before the break. The second half was even closer than the first although Harps, on the whole, had the ascendancy. The pack continued to offer good ball to Wilkinson and he gladly fed the three quarters, primarily the Bartons, who continued to pierce holes in the midfield. Tennet nearly ended a flowing move in the right hand corner and this preceded a try for Arrowsmith, following a turnover in the midfield, as the flanker sprinted clear to left of the posts. Harpenden could have consolidated the victory at this point but Haringey scored a try to level the contest. The hosts then reacted well, regaining the lead with a well-struck penalty from Cartmell and this proved to be the decisive score of the match. Harpenden: Kiff, M. Cross (C. Cross), Bunn, Stranders, Dumbleton (N. Clark), Henderson, Arrowsmith, Brooks, Wilkinson, A Barton, Leyland, J. Barton, Kearns (Martin), Tennet, Cartmell.