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.
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