Verulamians Rugby Club’s hopes of staying in London Three North West could rest on the outcome of their home game with Finchley.

Herts Advertiser: Bradley Cook puts in a tackle on Tadgh O'Donovan in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOOBradley Cook puts in a tackle on Tadgh O'Donovan in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

The two sides in the bottom two places meet at Cotlandswick on Saturday with Vees 12 points adrift of their north London rivals.

Herts Advertiser: Gareth Waters kicks off in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOOGareth Waters kicks off in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

And they will go into that game on the back of a 70-12 defeat away to promotion-chasing Stevenage Town.

Herts Advertiser: Phil Pearson holds off a tackle in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOOPhil Pearson holds off a tackle in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

That said there were positives to take from the game, with Vees giving as good as they got in the second half.

Herts Advertiser: Alex Banna is held up by two Vees in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOOAlex Banna is held up by two Vees in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

A bullocking run by Tim Fretter, converted by Gareth Waters, brought the first score with David Coyle getting the second and there were promising performances from youngsters Tom Shenton, Robert Campbell and Sam Beaton, all under 20 years of age, and the more-experienced hands of Robin Wildey, Jim McCormack, Fretter and Darren Westhead.

Herts Advertiser: James McCormack passes off the back of a ruck in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOOJames McCormack passes off the back of a ruck in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

The spirited performance will be the very least required now for the final run-in.

Herts Advertiser: Wes Moore carries the ball forward in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOOWes Moore carries the ball forward in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Andrew Malins is caught high in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOOAndrew Malins is caught high in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Andrew Malins passes the ball in a tackle in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOOAndrew Malins passes the ball in a tackle in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Gareth Lewis looks for a gap in the defence in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOOGareth Lewis looks for a gap in the defence in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Ben Hodge is tackled in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOOBen Hodge is tackled in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Nicholas Keohane slips a tackle in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOONicholas Keohane slips a tackle in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

Herts Advertiser: David Coyle runs through to score in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOODavid Coyle runs through to score in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

Herts Advertiser: David Coyle runs through to score in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOODavid Coyle runs through to score in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)

Herts Advertiser: Gareth Waters kicks for goal in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOOGareth Waters kicks for goal in the match between Stevenage Town v Verulamians. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2019 Archant)