UCS Old Boys scored a contender for their try of the season as Ahmed Gahnem finished off a fine team move, but it was only a consolation in a 74-7 defeat away at promotion hopefuls Old Priorians in London Division Two North-West.

Saturday’s match was preceded by a minute’s silence, held for the mother of an opposition player – but it also seemed appropriate for the visitors as UCS had also lost two former teachers in Tony Roberts and Ian McGregor.

When the game began, the Old Boys seemed to lack aggression, and they conceded five tries without reply before finally finding their feet five minutes from the interval.

Jack Boulden got over the try-line but was held up, and the half-time whistle prevented UCS from taking advantage of the following scrum.

The visitors picked up where they had left off after the interval, with James May and James Boyde making strong runs over the gain line – and they scored the first points of the second period.

Tom McAviney, Alex Lowe, Alex Klimov, May and Tom Loughnan were all involved in freeing Ghanem, who touched down to the right of the posts.

Lowe added the extras with the conversion, and UCS kept the ball better than they had done in the first half.

However, the defence did not improve and the hosts capitalised on missed tackles to extend their lead before the end. The Old Boys remain 11th out of the 12 teams in the table.

Meanwhile, Pacesetters Belsize Park were due to visit Bank of England in Herts/Middlesex Division One at the weekend, but the match was called off due to the weather.

Haringey Rhinos’ fixture away at Barnet Elizabethans was also postponed. The basement boys host second-placed Kilburn Cosmos on Saturday.