Grasshoppers 48 Hemel Hempstead 27

Grasshoppers welcomed top-of-the-table Hemel Hempstead to Macfarlane Lane in a game that would determine who held the top spot at the end of January.

In the end, Gs proved too strong for the Hertfordshire side and made it seven league wins on the trot to take both the game and the top slot from them.

Gs kicked off down the slope and were on the rampage straight away and were soon rewarded with a try from centre, Simon Shirreff and with stand off Gerwyn Hughes adding the conversion it was a dream start.

But back came the visitors showing their top of the league pedigree with an unconverted try and a penalty to take the lead.

Then the move of the game saw a kick ahead from winger Chris Dickson, which was gathered by fellow winger Ian Macey and after some slick interplay Simon Shirreff went in, in the corner, for an unconverted try.

Then Simon Shirreff got his hat-trick of tries and Gerwyn Hughes added the conversion to make it 19-8.

Then just before half time centre partner, Andy Quinn got a try and yes Gerwyn Hughes added the conversion to make the half time score 26-8 to prove that Gs can put in a first half performance if they want to.

The visitors having the slope and breeze in the second half was always going to make things difficult for Gs and so it proved as Hemel Hempstead threw wave after wave of attacks at Gs.

However, all they could muster was an unconverted try out wide to narrow the gap slightly.

Gs, though, had their best passage of the game up the slope at they caught the visitors on the counter attack time after time.

This saw a procession of Gs tries as they went on the rampage and underlined their first half performance.

First up was flanker Chris Denby, with Gerwyn Hughes adding the conversion. Then came a penalty from Gerwyn Hughes to further widen the gap.

Then came an unconverted try from winger Ian Macey after some mercurial handling and interplay following a break out from full back, Jeremy Easton. G's final try of the game came from number eight, and player of the day, Matt Nemeth, with Gerwyn Hughes converting.

Hemel Hempstead though, had the last word with two converted tries to make the final score 48-27 but Gs were suitably please with the well-earned two points.

Next week, Gs host Welsh side Tenby. Kick-off is 1pm, due to England's clash with Wales in the Six Nations.