Old Priorians Saints moved up into a playoff position in Middlesex Merit Table Division 1 following an assured performance against Grasshoppers, running out 38-14 winners at Syon Lane.
OPs started well, putting Grasshoppers on the backfoot in the early stages and were able to work their way down into the 22, Harry Lyons capitalising on the host's indecision to score for a second week in a row, shortly followed by a short range pick and go from Gabriel Kerr as the Saints took a 10-0 lead heading in to the second quarter.
Assured defence and penetrating backline runs continued to hand the onus to Priorians and Coel Ellis was next to cross the line around the half hour mark, captain Cian McBride able to convert ; yet for all their positive endeavours, OPRFC were conceding too many penalties and Grasshoppers took advantage with a quick tap and go from 5 metres out to put their first points on the board, well converted to reduce the deficit.
A well timed interception from McBride after the restart gave him open space to add to his tally, taken well and then able to convert his own effort, half time sounding shortly thereafter as OPs headed into the break with a 24-7 lead.
With both sides having made half time changes, the pendulum swung slightly more in favour of Grasshoppers as the game began to fracture in the wet and muddy conditions. The assiduous Saints defence couldn't be breached, however, able to slowly build good territory.
A typically barracking carry from number 8 Elvin Grant saw him held metres from the line, Jordan Porteous and James Sarek providing support with the latter able to wrestle the ball free and finish the move, the bonus point now achieved - McBride converting.
A determined Grasshoppers refused to give up and after a seemingly endless number of phases - the Saints once again refusing to allow an easy try - they went over, a deserved reward for the afternoon's endeavours. Another impressive conversion and it was 31-14.
With the last ten minutes approaching, there were no real signs of the match petering out as Priorians looked to finish with a flourish. Grant's pick and go in the final play inevitably led to him forcing his way through to join Lyons in scoring in consecutive games, McBride drop kicking the conversion for a 38-14 win.
While the scoreline may imply some degree of one-sidedness, OPs had to work very hard for the win, strong tackling the cornerstone of a positive result, coupled with making the most of a number of attacking opportunities.
The Saints move up to fifth in the table as they go into the winter break.
OPRFC SCORERS
T : Lyons, Kerr, Ellis, McBride, Sarek, Grant
C : McBride 4