Harpenden paid a fitting tribute to first team manager and former club captain David “Rappers” Rapley who died suddenly with a 31-14 win over Hampstead.

In an emotionally charged afternoon, which began with a minute’s silence in memory of the much loved club stalwart, they put on an attacking display that often had their supporters purring with delight.

With the forwards again turning in a solid performance, the back line rediscovered the cutting edge that had been missing against Tabard the previous week to run in five tries.

Wing Tom Muskett got the scoring under way with a fine try, and three minutes later he touched down under the posts to present skipper John Barton with an easy conversion. It was Barton’s turn to score under the posts with a try he duly converted.

With the score now at 19-0 it appeared that Harps were on their way to an easy win, but just before half-time sloppy defending from a quick throw-in on their five-metre line allowed Hampstead to go over. And ten minutes after the break the visitors scored another converted try after working the ball wide from a tapped penalty to peg back the score to 19-14.

However, on 60 minutes replacement wing Fergus Cox scored a debut try after good pressure by Barton to clinch the bonus point and make it 24-14. Hampstead were far from finished, though, and only some sterling defence kept them at bay.

With the final whistle fast approaching, Muskett, who had been a constant threat throughout with his powerful and elusive running, deservedly got his hat-trick with another try under the posts, which Barton converted.

New coach James Alvis said: “I’m very pleased. The boys have responded well to me as individuals and a group since I’ve arrived and the spirit is much better. I’m now looking to see further improvement over the coming weeks.”