Herts/Middlesex One: Bank of England 33 Hendon 22

Hendon were unable to profit from their trip to Bank of England, going down 33-22 in Herts/Middlesex One.

In one of the tightest matches so far, Bank and Hendon were end to end for 25 minutes with excellent defence from both outfits.

The Greenlands Lane outfit conceded a penalty on their 22, which was taken quickly by Bank who ran in an overlap try which was converted to lead 7-0.

Several wing bursts by Hendon newcomer Michael Danse were judged to be in touch when a try was in sight, while carries by Paul Julian, Chris Kiyingi and Nick Andrews could not be finished off.

As Hendon pushed forward in the last 10 minutes of the half, Bank were caught offside with Cian Hynes slotting over the penalty to make it 7-3.

From the restart, Bank were again penalised and Hendon scrum-half Ross Williams took a quick tap penalty, eventually resulting in Donal O’Sullivan to score out wide with Dan Watterson converting to make it 10-10 at the break.

With only a minute on the clock in the second period, another quick penalty by Hendon saw the ball in the backline and Hynes scoring in the corner.

Bank recovered and in the 50th minute, their backline played the ball out wide to score to tie the game at 15-15.

The teams remained level until the 65th minute when a kick over the Hendon defence was claimed by the Bank right wing, who scored in the corner.

Possession now seemed to be with Bank, who again kicked over the Hendon defence which led to another try to make it 25-15.

Hendon now seemed to be beaten in all areas as again Bank forwards attacked, finishing with another try down the wing to make it 30-15 with five minutes remainig.

Hendon’s resolve could have given them a bonus point as a carry from Julian was finished off by TJ O’Sullivan, with Watterson converting to close in at 30-22.

On the restart Hendon conceded a penalty on their 22, giving Bank an easy three points.

Lady Luck was not with Hendon as a long penalty to the Bank five-metre line, which might have given the opportunity for a pushover try to the visitors, was knocked into touch by a defender to end a disappointing afternoon.