Seven try feast but Harpenden’s slow start costs them the win against Old Haberdashers

A slow start ultimately cost Harpenden as they came close to upsetting the league leaders on Saturday.

Harpenden found themselves 14-0 down to Old Haberdashers in their London North West Two fixture and even though they turned round in front, they could prevent Habs picking up a 27-21 victory.

In total the teams traded seven tries and produced a decent game of rugby in very blustery conditions.

Michael Goode, Tom Sanders and Ed Preston grabbed the Harpenden tries with Tom Sweeney converting all three.

The game got off to the worst possible start though for the visitors when Habs, playing up the slope and with the wind in their faces, scored in the first minute through Harry Briffitt.

Ian McGee converted and he did so again soon after James Whittle ran in from 50 metres for try number two.

Goode’s instant reply settled Harpenden down and Sanders levelled the scores, forcing himself over the line with the help of the rest of the forwards.

James Clarke kicked Habs back in front but it would be Harpenden who took the advantage into the second half, Preston getting the final touch after good prompting in the backs from scrum-half, Callum Moyle.

But with the topography and meteorological conditions now in the Borehamwood based club’s favour, it was expected that Harpenden would yield.

But it took a counter-attack, following a long period of pressure inside the Habs 22, for Harpenden’s defences to be breached.

Charlie Johnson ran fully 40 metres from his right wing position to score which McGee gleefully converted.

And he landed another kick to hand Habs the win.

Harpenden still had chances with the back-row trio of Ryan Gue, Sanders and Goode all to the fore and there is plenty of hope that they can finish 2015 in style against Woodford at Redbourn Lane on Saturday.