London North West Three Harpenden 30 London Nigerian 12 HARPENDEN continued their recent good form with a confident victory over London Nigerians on Saturday. With players out the Men in Black fielded two new caps, and one new replacement — Jimmy Speirs

London North West Three

Harpenden 30 London Nigerian 12

HARPENDEN continued their recent good form with a confident victory over London Nigerians on Saturday.

With players out the Men in Black fielded two new caps, and one new replacement - Jimmy Speirs who last season captained the sensational Harpenden Under 17s to national glory.

The game began with the usual physical confrontations which are well attributed to London Nigerians. Harpenden edged ahead thanks to the metronomic boot of centre Jonny Barton who made it 6-0 with two penalty kicks.

With the half-time whistle approaching, Andrew Reed broke several tackles and fed Hoare who made further inroads. The ball was quickly recycled to Tennant and Alan Barton, at pace, breached the line from full back to set up Pattison for a try on debut in the corner. The difficult conversion was duly added by Barton junior for 13-0 at the break.

Harpenden scored again when Barton kicked long to an isolated Nigerian full back who was cleared out expertly by Adams and Dan Harmer. The ball was subsequently shipped to young scrum half Homan, who rounded the covering tacklers to score under the posts. Barton converted.

Another chip kick, this time by Nick Childs created panic in the away side's ranks, and Tom Musket surged clear for a solo converted score under the posts.

Nigerians came storming back with a renewed physical approach and scored two tries in the space of 10 second-half minutes reducing the deficit to 27-12.

A Jonny Barton penalty struck from fully 35 metres took the sting out of the Nigerians fight-back.

Coach Alan Barton hailed the front row trio of Lewin, Dan Tennant and McDonald who worked tirelessly all afternoon. Musket was named Man of the Match.

Harpenden: Lewin, D. Tennant, McDonald, Edge, Harmer, Reed, Adams, Hoare, Homan, J. Tennant, J. Barton, Childs, Muskett, Patterson, A. Barton. Subs: Spiers, Peck, Chichester-Miles.