Barnet Elizabethans missed out on promotion despite beating Hitchin 41-18 in their final London Three North West match of the season.

Just minutes after Barnet Elizabethans had completed a resounding seven-try demolition of Hitchin, news came through that London Nigerians had also secured maximum points by beating Finchley. The Byng Road side and Nigerians were level on 74 points but the West London side went up due to having the superior differential points.

BE stormed off at the start with their pack winning turnover ball which was quickly relased to the left wing for Glyn Bayley to score with Jonny Hart adding the conversion. Hitchin replied with a try from the restart. But David Leadbitter scored from the next attack and Bayley was released for his second try of the contest to give them a 19-10 half-time lead.

Immediately after the restart, captain Peter Moulton was too strong for the away defence and scored a well-taken converted try.

The win was ensured ten minutes later when Bayley claimed his hat-trick after the winger touched the ball down.

At 31-10 down, Hitchin were left to claim salvation and they kicked a penalty and scored a try. But there was still time for BE to add extra scores through James Oram and Moulton with a pushover effort.