Hendon secured back-to-back wins in Herts/Middlesex One with an 18-12 success at home to Actonians.

Commencing up the slope in the first half, the Hendon forwards found immediately they had the superiority to drive their mauls.

The first home score came after just three minutes from TJ O’Sullivan, as he powered over in the corner from a maul starting on the Actonians 22.

Hendon used the same tactic again soon after, but were stopped short by Actonians, who then used their back runners to full advantage to set up their forwards on the home five-metre mark to power over for a try after 15 minutes.

After a period of midfield play, a long penalty from Cian Hynes to the visitors’ 22 secured a lineout, which Donal O’Sullivan collected to set up another driving maul that TJ O’Sullivan finished off in the corner.

Five minutes later, another Hendon maul from the halfway line to the Actonians 22 allowed the home backline to come into action, with Chris Kiyingi touching down to make it 15-5.

With the last kick of the half, Hynes slotted over a penalty for Hendon as they took an 18-5 advantage into the break.

Hendon started the second period brightly, looking to set up for the bonus point try with excellent runs from Kiyingi and Stuart Doran, but the Actonians defence held firm.

The visitors then worked their way upfield, with Hendon’s defence having to work hard to hold them out.

Tom Mathias, Doran and Toby Ikwueke excelled in defence, but after 20 minutes, Actonians’ pressure was rewarded as they created an overlap to score a converted try to close the score to 18-12.

Though much of the last 20 minutes belonged to Hendon, all attempts to cross the Actonians line were thwarted by a rejuvenated team who were looking for their own victory.

The visitors eventually went away with a single bonus point as Hendon came out the tired, but worthy, winners.

Hendon are next in league action away to Royston on November 25.