Hendon 24 Old Haberdashers 29

Herts/Middlesex League Three North

No excuses. Hendon lost their opening league game to Old Haberdashers, who punished their mistakes but looked vulnerable themselves.

Hendon captain Laurence Lennon said: "The early season successes had not put us to the test properly and we will have to sharpen our act up in certain positions if we are to be promotion contenders."

However, coach John Ryan was more buoyant and reckons that some of the squad that were not available on Saturday will lift the side.

Stand-off John Diviney took most of the honours, scoring 19 of Hendon's 24 points.

He kicked a fifth-minute penalty and, after Habs replied with a converted try, he burst through to score a try which he promptly converted.

But Habs scored twice in added time for a 19-10 lead that left Hendon, facing the slope, with plenty to do in the second half.

Habs added two more tries for a 19 point lead, but Hendon fought back, wih Diviney scoring a second try under the posts again adding the extra two points.

Peter Love put Dave Simpson in for a try and Diviney's conversion narrowed the gap to five points.

But Habs held on for a narrow win.

Hendon visit Old Tottonians in the league clash on Saturday.

HENDON: O'Neill, Larkin, Simpson, Kerrigan, Sheehan, Diviney, Linale, Gilbride, Towndrow, Connor, Lennon, Cryan, Patten, Love, Nutama.

October 2, 2002 18:30