Harpenden secured their first win of 2014 with an emphatic 33-6 victory over rivals Hampstead in London Two North West.

Harps went ahead early into the contest as stand-off John Collins marked his return to the side by darting through for a sweetly worked try, which he duly converted.

The hosts kept up their early momentum and hooker Nick Chichester-Miles, another returnee, crashed over for Harps’ second try following a powerful rolling maul. Collins again converted.

Although Hampstead full back Dan Dimoline pulled back the score with a penalty, Harps finished the half in charge after centre Nick Childs raced over for their third try of the game.

The early part of the second period was far more even as Hampstead fought back. They were aided by a number of mistakes by Harps and the visitors went over and Dimoline added the extras.

However, any thoughts of an unlikely comeback were snuffed out on 63 minutes when fullback Ashley Smith brought up the winning bonus point with Harps’ fourth try after a surging run.

Shortly before the final whistle Childs grabbed Harps’ fifth - and his second - try. As with Smith’s score, it was converted by replacement centre Aaron Wilde.

Phil Cooper, first team coach, said: “I’m very happy indeed. The boys carried on the good work they had put in during the second half against Chiswick last week. They stuck to the game plan throughout and showed excellent commitment.

“It’s true that the early part of the second half was a difficult period for us, but our defence was good and I’m really pleased that we did not concede a single try.”

With a break this Saturday, Harps are next in league action on February 8 when they travel to Hammersmith and Fulham.