Hampstead coach Peter Breen was full of praise for Dan Wigley, stating the lock put in “the best performance of any player this season” as his side secured a second successive victory.

Hampstead visited a Welwyn side sitting two places above them in the table in fourth spot, but they emerged triumphant, having also beaten them at home in December.

Dan Dimoline and Ben Sanderson scored tries for Breen’s side in the first half – both converted by Dimoline.

And, although they then conceded 17 points without reply to fall behind, captain Andy McEwen went over to narrow the deficit before the influential Wigley set up Will Pettit for a decisive score.

Breen hailed the man of the match, gushing: “Dan played not just the best of all but put in the best performance of any player this season.”

Meanwhile, UCS Old Boys were beaten for the second game in a row in Herts/Middlesex Division One and dropped to seventh after a 39-17 loss away against Hillingdon Abbotts.

The Old Boys started poorly, conceding two tries and a penalty in the opening 20 minutes and then losing Stefan Filip to a hamstring injury – but they hit back with two scores of their own, including a fine run from Rich Driver, who beat three defenders.

UCS also lost David O’Dwyer at the break after he hurt his hand and, although their performance improved and they spent most of the second period in opposition territory, they could only manage one more try – from Paul Dillon – while Hillingdon were clinical on the counter-attack and extended their lead before the end.

Elsewhere, Hendon’s first team had the weekend off but the second string came from behind at the death to triumph 27-26 away against The Mount Prison in a double-header in the Merit League and Cup.

Liam Murphy, Dave Connell and Alex Whittaker all went over for the Dons but they trailed 26-22 with two minutes left, only for captain Terry Gilbride to crash over.