Herts/Middlesex One: Hendon 99 Staines 12

Hendon enjoyed a record-breaking 99-12 success at home to Staines in Herts/Middlesex One.

The combined score of 111 points was the highest number scored in a single game throughout the entire league programme.

Compliments, though, were paid by Hendon to an under strength Staines outfit who could have taken the easy option of cancelling as injuries, availability and International Rugby preference by key players cost them a full-strength side.

It took Hendon 10 minutes to deliver their first score with some rugged defence from Staines, who were pinned into their own territory.

Will Theaker went over for Hendon’s first try and the floodgates opened as he added a second score with ease minutes later.

Cian Hynes took the next two scores with individual runs from the Hendon 22, converting both scores for a 24-0 lead.

Further tries in the first period came from Rossa Dooley, Billy Burrell, Tom Mathias, TJ O’Sullivan, Rob Casey, and Donal O’Sullivan, all but one converted by Hynes for a half time score of 64-0.

In the second half, Staines now at least had the benefit of the Hendon slope and some wind assistance.

To their credit, the visitors pinned the home outfit onto their own try line for a 10-minute spell which Hendon defended, before Theaker went over for his hat-trick. Staines came straight back into the game and Hendon were caught inside their 22, allowing the visiting back row to combine and crash over for a deserved score.

Midfield play slowed the scoring opportunities until the visitors felt the full pressure of Hendon again in the 65th minute as Burrell ran from defence to make it 78-0.

The following 10 minutes were dominated again by Hendon with tries from Burrell, giving him his hat-trick, another from Theaker, and Casey with his second for the 15th try, with all second-half scores converted by man of the match Hynes.

Staines, however, had the final say with the last try of the match when dotting down under the posts.