A disastrous spell in the second half when Harpenden shipped 21 unanswered points saw the side slump to a 29-12 defeat at Fullerians.

The loss, which had followed a bonus point win the previous Saturday, resulted in them dropping to sixth in London Two North West and with it almost certainly any lingering hope of promotion.

Harps, in fact, had been the better team for much of the first half, despite having to play up Fullerians’ pronounced slope and with their scrum often under severe pressure, and they had deservedly turned round 12-8 ahead.

Left wing Ash Smith opened the scoring on seven minutes with a try after pouncing on a pinpoint kick ahead by centre Ollie Brown.

Fullerians hit back five minutes later when poor defence enabled full-back Matt Deane to sweep in for a try in the right-hand corner. Then on 25 minutes the hosts grabbed the lead with a Dan Evans penalty.

On 29 minutes Harps hooker Alex Randall touched down after a kick ahead by prop Oli Lacey. Tom Sweeney converted to take the score to 12-8.

Thanks to a combination of stout defence and fine driving play, Harps finished the half in the ascendancy and there was a hope among their supporters at half time that a shock victory might just be on the cards.

Fullerians, however, put Harps under almost continual pressure from the restart and, with their powerful pack dominating the scrums, it was clear that it would be only a matter of time before Harps’ dam would burst.

Moments after Harps skipper Michael Goode had been yellow carded in the second half, Simon Lye dived over for a Fullers try.

Lye touched down again before Ben Redler put the game beyond doubt with a bonus-point try.

Harps host Hampstead this Saturday.