Herts/Middlesex One: Saracens Amateurs 35  Old Abbotstonians 5

A late score was scant consolation as Old Abbotstonians suffered a heavy 35-5 defeat at Saracens Amateurs.

Abbots man of the match Adam Welwyn capped a fine individual performance by breaking through some tired Saracens tackles to claim a fine try although the game had long gone.

The team plays a friendly with Mill Hill on Saturday and the home clash with Old Actonians a week later is already looking like a must win game.

Abbots were under heavy pressure from the outset and were lucky to be only 3-0 down after 10 minutes.

The visiting forwards dominated early on but they lost influential prop Gavin Marshall to an arm injury and Neil Gordge was a little unfortunate to be sinbinned for a high tackle. Only fine defence from full back Welwyn prevented Saracens from being more than 17-0 up at half-time and while Abbots came more into the game in the second half it was not until the final 15 minutes that they put pressure on Saracens.

The seconds were unable to record a third win in succession as they lost a close encounter at Old Isleworthians 15-12.

Abbots cancelled out an early score with an Andy Ford try but the hosts regained the lead by the break.

The visitors wrested back the momentum when Nick Seagrove touched down and and Ben Barns added the conversion to take Abbots in front but in the final few minutes Isleworthians scored again to sneak home.

* Abbots junior section hosts a fun day on Sunday, October 28, 10.30am-1.30pm.

Just turn up or see www.abbs-junior-rugby.co.uk  for details.