Danny Hunter is still confident Saffron Walden can match the best teams in London One North despite Saturday’s 60-0 hammering by league pacesetters Tring.

Having only lost 30-15 to the Hertfordshire side – who have now won all 16 of their league encounters this season – in the reverse fixture in September, seventh-placed Walden would have hoped for a closer game at Henham.

However, the hosts were outmuscled by the sparkling visitors but head coach Hunter says there were still positives to take from the afternoon with a trip to third-placed Chingford up next on Saturday.

Hunter told the Reporter: “I think their [Tring’s] reputation proceeded them a little bit and we got affected by it.

“At times we played some good rugby though and a few back-up lads stepped up and did well so it wasn’t all doom and gloom.”

He added: “Chingford are another team that we matched well in the first game and I think if we get our game right we’ll take a big league scalp sooner or later.”

A victory would give Walden slight hope of finishing in the top five but Hunter still feels a top-six finish in their first season back in the division would be creditable.

He continued: “To finish sixth would be a fantastic achievement, especially as we were some people’s favourites to go straight back down this season.

“We just need to build on our confidence and if we can do that then we can surprise a few people before the season is over.”