Imperial Medicals 18 Barnet SEs 23

London League Division Three (North-West)

Another win for Barnet in a disruptive fixture pile-up keeps them in contention for promotion with further important games to follow.

Before the match, Imperial were third, immediately ahead of Barnet, who have two games in hand, so this success was very important to the visitors.

The young Medicals side threw the ball about with great effect on the wide pitch in the first quarter, leaping to a 13-0 lead with two penalties and a converted try.

After Rob Glenister's penalty had reduced the gap, a rolling maul upfield, led by the impressive Rob Hills, enabled Lee Gray to touch down for an all-important score just before half-time, and Glenister's conversion reduced the deficit to 13-10.

Hooker Nick Timson stole several balls against the head, and with in-form prop Willie Pritchard giving his opposite number a torrid time in the tight, Barnet developed a stranglehold on the game.

After several surges at the host's line, Hills eventualy crashed over for Glenister to convert again, and Glenister stretched the lead to 23-13 with a further brace of penalties.

Medicals had no answer to the domination of the Barnet forwards, and even when their dangerous backs were given some ball, they ran into a well-organised defence, ably led by centre Graham Hart.

Medicals scored a consolation try at the death, but it was too little too late.

On Saturday, Barnet entertain local rivals Finchley in the league (2.30pm), seeking revenge for a defeat back in September.

In the Herts President's Cup, Barnet were due to entertain Welwyn on Sunday, but the visitors could not raise a side and conceded a walk-over.

Barnet are away to Old Albanians in the quarter-final on Sunday, March 4.