Hendon cruise past Lockside to step up in Bowl

HENDON surged into the quarter-finals of the Middlesex Bowl with a comfortable win over fellow Herts Middlesex League division two outfit Lockside at Copthall on Saturday. ""We now meet Chiswick from division one in the next round and we must raise our game,"" said

HENDON surged into the quarter-finals of the Middlesex Bowl with a comfortable win over fellow Herts Middlesex League division two outfit Lockside at Copthall on Saturday.

"We now meet Chiswick from division one in the next round and we must raise our game," said Hendon's director of rugby, Mickey Harber.

"Had we lost we would have dropped into the Vase competition where we have reached the finals for the last two years. But we will be up for it."

The first half was evenly contested until Hendon's full-back Maughan kicked long inside the Lockside 22.

The home side set up a rolling maul and second row Dave Connell crashed over for an unconverted try.

However, the visitors quickly hit back with an equalising try.

Then, on the stroke of half time, Hendon's backs sliced through the Lockside defence and Anthony Anyim touched down for a try, converted by Maughan for a 12-5 lead.

After the break Hendon reorganised their scrum with Eric Butler on at No 8 to set up driving mauls. The tactic soon paid off with two tries for skipper Chris Middleton and Maughan.

Lockside replied with two penalties but Hendon rounded off the scoring with another try from a driving maul from hooker Towndrow, converted by Maughan.

Tomorrow, Hendon go on the fixtures exchange for a friendly.