Hampstead rob Bank to stay alive

Hampstead jumped out of the London League relegation zone after a 'winner takes all' match against fellow strugglers Bank of England on Saturday. Hampstead scored three tries – one in the first half and two in the second –

Hampstead 17

Bank of England 3

Hampstead jumped out of the London League relegation zone after a "winner takes all" match against fellow strugglers Bank of England on Saturday.

Hampstead scored three tries - one in the first half and two in the second - to tie up a tense clash in division three (north west).

"If we'd lost, that would have been it," admitted coach Glenn Taylor. "But now we've won I feel like we will stay up.

"Then again, you don't want to speak too early because things can change again next week.

"It was a case of winner takes all against Bank - that's what made it so nervy for the players and quite an exciting game from the neutral perspective."

Hampstead started poorly playing against the elements and lost their tight head prop to an old ankle injury after just five minutes.

Despite the loss, Matthew Eastwood scored the opening try for Hampstead when he barged over from a ruck close to the line.

But such success from the rucks was rare for the home side, who conceded a series of penalties as the half wore on.

Eventually, Bank landed one, leaving the score 5-3 at half-time.

After the interval, outside centre Jamie Goldberg stole into the corner to double Hampstead's tally.

"If I'm honest, from that point on I didn't think we'd lose," added Taylor.

His optimism was well founded as Richard Williams scored Hampstead's third try from Goldberg's pass with 10 minutes to play, after the man of the match had kicked through and gathered. The conversion rounded off the scoring.

Hampstead travel to second- placed Stevenage on Saturday week.

Hampstead: Philpott, Sleight, Williams, Poole, Goldberg, Colvin, McTurk, Everett, Pugh, Darke (Davis), Aygerton, Stewart, Lacey, Cowan-Dickie, Burgess.