Hampstead fall off the pace in defeat at Old Priorians

Hampstead fell to their third successive defeat in London North-West Division Two, going down 34-20 at Old Priorians as a leaky defence and lack of fitness undermined their efforts again.

Old Priorians started well and retrieved the ball from their own kick-off, driving up the field before bundling over from close range.

Hampstead responded with some strong forward play of their own, which allowed captain Max Rawlinson to score under the posts.

Dan Dimoline added the conversion and followed it up with a penalty to give Hampstead the lead - but all of the away team’s good work was undone by two instances of sloppy midfield defence, resulting in two tries for Old Priorians.

Hampstead hit back through a long-range Pete Evans try - converted by Dimoline - to leave the scores tied at 17-17 at the break.

The second half was a different story, though, with Old Priorians dominating possession and territory and scoring three unanswered tries.

All Hampstead had to show for their second-half display was a solitary penalty - and the increasingly familiar feeling of what might have been.