Hendon maintained their unbeaten start to the league season after surviving a late Mill Hill comeback to triumph 29-20 and move third in the Herts/Middlesex Division Two table.

After surviving an early spell of Hill pressure Mike Evan-Jones sliced his way up-field and beat three defenders to run in Hendon’s first try, which he converted himself.

Evan-Jones then slotted two penalties between the posts, but Hill returned fire to score a converted try and leave the score 13-7 after 25 minutes.

Hendon swiftly responded though as Adam Johnson’s break found Ger O’Donoghue, who scored in the corner, and Evan-Jones converted to give Hendon a 20-7 half-time lead.

The hosts carried their form into the second-half with the front row of Gilbride, Murphy and Kumar dominating the scrums, before Evan-Jones slotted over for a 23-7 advantage.

However, Hendon began to relax and Mill Hill took advantage as repeated penalties inside the Hendon five metre line resulted in a penalty try to the visitors, as they closed the gap to 23-14.

Another Hill penalty suggested a comeback could be on, but Evan-Jones responded with a long penalty

Man of the match Evan-Jones settled nerves in the closing stages of the game with another kick to give the hosts a comfortable cushion, as they continued to press until the whistle.

Hendon travel to struggling West London on Saturday, and victory could send them top.