Harpenden edged to a 19-12 home win over St Albans at Redbourn Lane in a typically hard-fought London NW Two derby on Saturday.

While neither side could be faulted for lack of commitment or effort, there were far too many errors from both teams to please the purist and entertainment was often in short supply.

Not that this will worry Harps too much as this fourth victory of the season firmly cements their spot in the top five while St Albans, with only one win from their first five games, know they must improve if they are not to be dragged into a relegation dogfight.

It was St Albans, in fact, who began the better side. Thanks in no small part to their scrum dominance, they spent virtually all the first quarter-of-an-hour firmly camped deep inside in Harpenden’s 22.

However, due to solid defence, they could not convert possession and territory into points and on 15 minutes, and much against the run of play, they suddenly found themselves behind to a breakaway try.

Right wing Tris Francis pounced on a deft kick ahead by full-back Aaron Wilde and, after combining well with centre Tom Stagg, touched down. Wilde then converted to make the score 7-0.

St Albans missed the opportunity to claw some points back with two failed penalty attempts. Bolstered by their try, Harpenden started to come back into the game, although a number of attacks initiated by fly-half John Collins eventually came to nothing.

Harps did go further ahead shortly after half-time when scrum-half Adam Wilkinson darted over for a try after a series of penalties close to the St Albans line.

Wilde, who was to be named man-of-the match, converted to extend his side’s advantage to 14-0.

St Albans were by no means out of it and were finally rewarded on 61 minutes when second-row Jack Middleton powered over for a try. And seven minutes later hooker Brenton Lemaire capitalised on some sloppy Harps defending to touch down for a second try, which fly-half Harry Trude duly converted to narrow the gap to 14-12.

But, as St Albans pressed forward again, Collins, who had enjoyed a fine afternoon, raced over for the best try of the match to take the score to 19-12 and clinch the win.

Home captain Michael Goode said: “It was not pretty but a win is a win and I am pleased with the way we defended, particularly early in the first half when we just did not have any ball.

“When we start prepare for to our visit to Tabard on Saturday we know we will need to work on the detail and also ensure that we do the simple things well.”