Haringey Rhinos were dealt a massive blow on Saturday when they lost to London League basement outfit Bank of England in a high-scoring thriller at Roehampton. A win would have moved the Rhinos out of the drop zone in division three (north west)

Haringey Rhinos were dealt a massive blow on Saturday when they lost to London League basement outfit Bank of England in a high-scoring thriller at Roehampton.

A win would have moved the Rhinos out of the drop zone in division three (north west), but defeat leaves them just one point off the foot of the table.

The Bank scored two soft tries in the first 10 minutes before breaks from Haringey's full-back Ali Gonse, flanker Rob Gold and stand-off Alan Cooper were thwarted after a lack of support.

But second-row Joe Mills crashed over for Rhinos' first score and Cooper slotted a tricky penalty soon after to bring them within two points of the home side at the break.

Unfortunately, Bank squeezed a breakaway try in the closing stages to establish a seven-point lead.

The second half was only minutes old when injuries to skipper Jason Healey, centre Julian Nickiel and second row Joe Mills forced personnel changes.

It took several minutes for a reshuffled Rhinos side to get into their stride, during which they slipped further behind to a penalty.

Ollie Wollaston responded with a try which was superbly converted by Cooper to bring them within three points.

As the final minutes ticked away it was Haringey who looked more likely to score.

But Bank won and converted a penalty on the break to extend their lead to six points.

"It was certainly a game that Haringey should have won and had we finished off their numerous try scoring chances we could have done so with room to spare," said Rhinos' Tim Hutchins.

"Fortunately, other than Bank of England, all the other bottom teams lost, so all is still to play for."

Rhinos have this weekend off from league and cup action. The following Saturday they face second-placed Stevenage at New River.

Harginey squad: Thompson, Whitear, Wilson, Hawkes, Mills (Buller), Brown, Gold, Healey (Hutchins), Olok, Cooper, Quinn, Roos, Nickiel (Wollaston), Peterson, Gonse.