Harpenden move top of table after easing past Old Merchant Taylors'

Despite having to make to enforced changes to their line-up due to late unavailability, Harps were in command for long periods of the match and if the final pass had not gone astray on a number of occasions, the score might have been even more impressive.

First team manager Rod Macauley said: “Some sections were very good with us showing an excellence in our play matched by a real purpose. Our tackling, though, was not good at times and we were a little awry with our passing. However, you can’t expect perfection in the second game of the season.”

Second row Ed Preston opened the scoring in the fifth minute when he stormed over for a try in the right-hand corner. But OMTs hit back with a try of their own seven minutes later touched down by their powerful outside centre Joe Cokanasiga which was then duly converted.

Harps regained the lead on 20 minutes with a try by Adam Kelsall and stretched it five minutes later when prop Oli Lacey was driven over the try line following a line-out on OMTs’ five-metre line.

Skipper Michael Goode brought up the bonus point on 30 minutes after a defence-splitting run by stand-off Ollie Brown. Sweeney again converted but then blotted his copy book shortly before half time when he was yellow carded for handling in the ruck as OMTs launched a counter attack.

The second half began with a series of handling errors and lost possession by both sides before Sweeney returned from the sin bin to kick a penalty to take the score to 29-7.

OMTs hit back with a second try by the dangerous Cokanasiga. But winger Ash Smith quickly restored the points difference with Harps’ fifth try which followed a marvellous switch of play from the left to the right wing involving several players.

And in the closing minutes flanker Ryan Gue and replacement Luke Bailey rammed home Harps’ superiority with a try each.

Harps welcome newly promoted Fullerians to Redbourn Lane on Saturday.