Herts/Middlesex One: London Welsh 48 Hendon 7

Hendon will hope better results will come in 2018 after starting the New Year with a 48-7 loss at London Welsh in Herts/Middlesex One.

The visitors knew the match would be tough with players still away for the Christmas break, but gave a determined and spirited effort.

However, Hendon were somewhat overrun by a more professional outfit who could comfortably play two or three leagues higher.

Welsh were ahead after 10 minutes with a pushover try from a five-metre scrum and a similar move saw the hosts increase their lead to 12 points with a quarter of an hour gone.

Hendon then lifted their game with a fine run by Cian Hynes, only to be stopped short as Welsh conceded a penalty in front of the posts.

Rather than take the easy option of kicking at goal, Hynes chose to kick the penalty to touch for a lineout close to the hosts’ line.

After winning the set piece, the visitors were camped near the line for several phases of play before Dan Watterson scored out wide, with Hynes converting.

The try, though, seemed to stir Welsh, who spent the next 15 minutes putting pressure on the lighter Hendon pack.

Despite a resilient effort, the visitors conceded another try on the stroke of half time, with the hosts leading 17-7 at the break.

The second period saw the fitness and superior size of Welsh dominate in all positions, with the visitors on the back foot for most of the half.

Two tries within the opening 15 minutes of the second half saw the hosts hold a commanding 29-7 advantage.

Midway through the half, Hendon again could have kicked an easy penalty, but opted to find touch, which eventually resulted in a five-metre scrum near the Welsh line.

The hosts, though, took the scrum against the head, before running the length of the pitch for a try.

With 15 minutes left in the half, Hendon scrum half Billy Burrell was sent to the sin bin, allowing the hosts to run in two further tries.

Hendon return to action on Saturday when they host Barnet Elizabethans.