Saturday’s match at Hitchin takes on huge significance for Old Streetonians as both sides continue searching for their first win of the season.

The two teams sit at the bottom of London North West Division Three after three games, with the Onions conceding 127 points already.

Last time out they suffered a chastening 52-10 defeat away at Stevenage Town, with coach David Bailey admitting a win this weekend is vital if Old Street are to avoid being cut adrift.

Meanwhile the second XV are also looking for their first win of the season, after being edged out of a tight game with Hammersmith and Fulham 4s last time out.

They play Bank of England 2s at home on Hackney Marshes, while Old Street’s third XV are also at home this Saturday, with a fixture against London Scottish Extra Bs.

The only game last weekend was a second XV cup match against Rosslyn Park on the marshes.

In wet conditions, a slow start saw the Onions concede two early scores, with sloppy defending at the line-out giving Rosslyn Park the chance to drive over for two more mauled tries in the first half.

Old Street caused problems for themselves at the set pieces, often failing to secure their own ball and leaving themselves constantly on the back foot, with some poor tackling leading to further tries for the away side.

But, as the weather picked up, so did the home side, running in two tries of their own and playing with purpose and passion in the final quarter, with chances to score further points spurned in the closing stages.

Although it was an encouraging finish for the scratch side, made up mainly of second and third XV players against a very decent Rosslyn Park side, that did little to change the result as the Onions went down 49-14.