Verulamians Rugby Club leapt above Old Streetonians to the summit of Herts Middlesex One after a 27-17 win at Cotlandswick.

It was the club’s third successive triumph this season and it came with a bonus point for four tries.

A reshuffle in the backs from last week’s narrow win over Royston was not a hindrance and within 10 minutes Vees were in front.

Sam Crowne took advantage of plenty of driving aggression from the forwards to secure the first from a line-out.

Tom Maile duly converted and a kick brought the next points, although it came from the unlikely boot of No.8 Michael Hollister, who audaciously dropped a goal from 25 metres out.

Somehow though Vees let the visitors back into the game and they levelled things up.

But a try from skipper James Hayes ensured Vees led 15-10 at the break.

Early in the second half George Irwin, playing unaccustomedly at scrum-half, produced one of his blistering darts resulting in a third score.

And the fourth came from Joe Seymour, who had both a strong attacking and defensive game, with jinking run ending up between the posts.

Maile again converted and although Old Streetonians got a late try, Vees had done more than enough to win.

Vees attacks were often the result of combined forward play in which Mike Ainsworth was outstanding in the second half.