Harpenden got their promotion challenge firmly back on course with a convincing 39-20 bonus-point win at Staines on Saturday.

Tries from Tom Gamage, Ed Preston, Tom Sweeney and a double from Adam Stirling secured the points for the visitors.

The victory, Harps’ first in four games, took them up to third place in London Two North West and set them up nicely for the visit to Redbourn Lane of second-placed Hammersmith and Fulham on Saturday.

Harps took the lead after only three minutes when centre Sweeney converted a penalty, but Staines hit back two minutes later with a drop goal from fly-half Alex Newberry.

Harps regained the initiative almost immediately when hooker Gamage crashed over for a try in the right-hand corner following a break by flanker Dave Green.

However, Staines went ahead on ten minutes after Tony Willis went over for a try, which Newberry converted to take the score to 10-8.

Harps, who were dominant in the scrum and mauling well, provided the forwards with a series of attacking platforms for the backs, and on 30 minutes they were rewarded.

Stirling touched down for his first try of the day and Sweeney added the extras to take the score to 15-10.

Harps were seriously disrupted by injuries to Gamage (ribs) and Green (ankle) shortly before the break which enabled Staines to regain the upper hand.

Scrum-half Jason Lee darted over following a lineout close to Harps’ line and Newberry converted to take the score to 17-15.

Staines had their opponents under the cosh as they applied pressure early in the second half. But with a heavily strapped Green back on the pitch, the away side regrouped.

Sweeney, who travelled from Durham University to answer an SOS call to play, raced 50 yards to touch down under the posts for a fine try, which he converted.

And although Willis reduced the deficit shortly afterwards with a successful penalty kick, Harps began to turn the screw. On 65 minutes second row Preston stormed over for a converted try following a great steal from a line-out.

Stirling capped an impressive return to the side, from a long injury lay-off, with his second try of the game after a sizzling run from left wing Ash Smith. Sweeney duly converted to take his points tally for the afternoon to 19.

Skipper Adam Wheatley said: “I’m delighted we’ve got back to winning ways. This was a tough game, but we broke them and were able to crack their line-out calls.

“I particularly want to thank our ‘uni boys’, Tom Sweeney and Fred Guildford, who both came down to play when we found ourselves short of players.”