It was a tough afternoon for Welwyn and Datchworth rugby clubs - as the strength of the Counties One Herts Middlesex division was laid bare.

Datchworth are bottom after a 43-5 loss away to third-placed Cheshunt.

Welwyn meanwhile are ninth after going down 40-7 to unbeaten league leaders Finchley at Hobbs Way.

They could point to a number of missing players, including skipper Josh Milton who was nursing a hamstring injury, but they also found the pacesetters in fabulous form, well organised and playing an expansive game that Welwyn struggled to compete with.

In the end Finchley scored seven tries to Welwyn's one, the first of which arrived on 15 minutes.

A crunching tackle by co-captain Vetaia Kawea was deemed high and from the penalty, Finchley crashed over to score the opener, which was duly converted.

To rub salt into the wounds, the visitors only missed one kick at goal all match, that coming in the first period.

But despite that further tries in the 17th, 23rd and 40th minutes not only gave Finchley a 26-0 half-time lead, it also brought the try bonus point.

Welwyn adapted their game in the second half by keeping it much closer to the forwards and it worked, keeping the away side out until the final 15 minutes.

It was an avoidable try, a dropped pass in front of their own posts, but they responded well and got their only points of the afternoon almost immediately after, Tom Emery powering his way over and Jake Riley adding the extras.

But Finchley even managed to win in the 'last try the winner' stakes, the final seven points coming before the close.

Welwyn travel to second from bottom Hackney on Saturday while Datchworth host fourth-placed Ealing Trailfinders.