Hackney 16 London Welsh Amateurs 3

Top-scorer Arif Saad touched down his eighth try of the season to keep unbeaten Hackney top of Herts/Middlesex 1.

The Griffins made a poor start though, conceding a series of penalties that enabled Welsh to move three points in front.

But Hackney soon jolted into action and fly-half Alex O’Hara levelled the scores with a successful penalty.

The ever-reliable Saad then found space on the wing and ran over in the corner for The Griffins first try of the match.

Good pressure from Will Bowers pushed Welsh back once more and Hackney began to turn the screw when O’Hara successfully kicked another penalty.

With the league leaders now firmly in control Ben Weller touched down over the whitewash before half-time.

No points at either end in the second half meant Hackney missed out on a bonus point for the first time this season.

However, the win keeps them five points ahead of Belsize Park, going in to Saturday’s match against struggling West London – yet to win a league match this term.