Belsize Park fell from the top of the table in a Halloween horror show on Saturday, losing 19-10 at Datchworth in London North-West Division Three.

BP had won five of their opening six league games but they failed to take their chances when they were dominating in the first 20 minutes.

Alex Baboolal was held up over the line and captain Tom House spilled the ball as he was going clear 10 metres out.

Instead, it was Datchworth who took the lead with a converted try after some good handling and missed tackles.

Jeremy Burton hit back for the visitors with a 45-metre penalty at the end of the first half. However, Datchworth’s scrum unsettled Belsize, who were unable to hold on to any possession in the third quarter – and the hosts ran in two tries while missing a couple of penalties.

James Sale, Fred House and Jim Turner returned from injury and made an impact while Danny Steadman got over the line eight minutes from time, but it was too little too late.

House told Ham&High Sport: “With the way we played in the opening quarter, we were ultimately punished for not turning pressure and possession into points.

“The margins are much finer in this league and a missed tackle or fluffed kick can really cost you.

“Overall we didn’t play badly but the lads know that if they want to push on this season and to stay in with a shout then we have to be more precise in execution.”