London Division Three North West St Albans 26 Hammersmith and Fulham 35 EARLY scores from Ed Coy and Dave Stanford were not enough to save St Albans as their six game unbeaten run was ended by Hammersmith and Fulham at Boggymead Spring. The result meant

London Division Three North West

St Albans 26 Hammersmith and Fulham 35

EARLY scores from Ed Coy and Dave Stanford were not enough to save St Albans as their six game unbeaten run was ended by Hammersmith and Fulham at Boggymead Spring.

The result meant the Saints slip below their visitors who have climbed to fourth place in London Division Three North West.

Saints took charge early on as the forwards dominated against bigger opponents and soon the opening score arrived from a scrum. Number eight John Sayers picked up drew the cover and slipped the ball to scrum half Andrews who fed Ed Coy to dive in at the corner. Mark Kentish added the conversion and soon added a penalty on 20 minutes.

The visitors replied with a simple converted try gifted to them, but resilient Saints hit back and a strong break by Doug Morette set up wing forward Dave Stanford to fly in for the try. Mark Kentish again added the extra points for a comfortable 17-7 half time lead.

Sloppy play in the second half from the home side allowed Hammersmith and Fulham to score 19 unanswered points to lead 17-26.

Crucially for Saints influential scrum half Simon Andrews succumbed to an ankle injury, forcing winger Coy to take over the role, and second row Dan Hillier was yellow carded for not allowing fair release.

Although St Albans steadied the ship they could not close the gap and the game was concluded with a number of traded penalties, three to each side.

St Albans coaches were rightly disappointed at this performance as Saints should have won this game.

One bright note was the performance of new recruit Leo Cruz in the back row who had an outstanding game. On Saturday St Albans travel to Hampstead.