Herts/Middlesex Merit Table Four North East Cup first round: Hendon 24 Hertford Termites 28

Hendon’s seconds are out of the Herts/Middlesex Merit Table Four North East Cup following a 28-24 defeat to Hertford fourths.

The game started well for Hendon who matched their opponents in all quarters with a well worked try by Richard Sharples under the posts which Ryan Murtagh converted.

Hertford took the game back to the Hendon five-metre line before eventually scoring a pushover try to level the match at 7-7.

Miles McCarthy then raced away for a try that Murtagh converted to put Hendon back ahead, only for Hertford to cross themselves as the teams went into half-time level at 14-14.

A Murtagh penalty made it 17-14 to Hendon, before Hertford’s back powered them over the line for a converted try.

Skipper Aiden Brennan-Power barged over for a try that was converted as Hendon regained the lead once more, only to be dealt a hammer blow when Hertford with the match-winning score.