Datchworth 21-38 Hitchin
The Hedgehogs had to quickly shake off a 78-7 hammering at the hands of Brunel University, renewing our rivalry with our friends at Datchworth.
Hitchin played uphill in the first half, and Datchworth, under a new coaching regime, immediately applied pressure, kicking a penalty into the corner. Number 8 Alex Lloyd-Williams, fresh from jumping in the lineout, embarked on a mazy run, evading three tackles to touch down.
Fly Half Adam Miles began to exert control with clever kicks, bouncing unpredictably on the hard surface. A 5 metre penalty was kicked to touch, and Centre Simon Taylor caught the opposition off guard, carrying back towards the forwards where his elusive footwork took him over the line. A missed conversion meant Hitchin trailed 7-5 after 20 minutes.
Shortly after the restart, a Datchworth handling error inside the 22 was seized upon by Flanker Adam Baird. Prop James Bolter picked from the ruck and tumbled out of a tackle to score Hitchin's second try.
Hitchin were in full flow and earned a penalty after an 11 phase play was illegally halted. The penalty was kicked to touch, and Captain Frazer McGown dropped the ball to Baird at full speed, unstoppable from 5 metres out.
Datchworth went down to 14 men after a 10 minute sinbin was issued for a tackle on Prop Harry Elleston as he jumped to receive the kick off. This setback galvanised the men in green, who had the edge for the remainder of the half, but Hitchin showed resilience to defend their 19-7 lead into the interval.
The bonus point try came after 50 minutes. Scrum Half Ryan Godfrey lobbed a delightful kick into the Datchworth 22, and the second bounce landed perfectly in Winger Jack Maydom's stride to run in a try under the sticks.
Hitchin failed to finish from a 5 metre driving maul, and Datchworth broke up the field, earning a 5 metre scrum. Lloyd-Williams picked and ran with intent to secure Datchworth's second try.
Datchworth's best spell of the game continued, as they threatened to reduce the deficit to one score. A penalty was awarded for a successful jackal, allowing Hitchin to exit their own 22. A break from Taylor initiated momentum, and intricate passing took Hitchin to the 5 metre line. McGown spotted a weakness in the ruck defence to dot down try number 5.
Hooker Ewan Rawlings took Hitchin upfield and, after the forwards sucked in the opposition around the ruck, replacement Fly Half Ciarán Sale at first receiver stepped around his opposite number to score Hitchin's final try.
Datchworth kept fighting and had the final say with a brilliant individual effort from Centre Ollie Barnes, Fly Half Murray Bond maintaining his 100% record from the kicking tee. Final score Datchworth 21-38 Hitchin.
Hitchin climb to 5th in the fledgling table, facing Ruislip at home on Saturday 28th September at 3PM.
The 2XV fought valiantly with a numerical disadvantage, succumbing to a 34-19 defeat to Hertford 4XV. Man of the Match Ryan Arbon bagged two tries, and Hooker Marcus Moore scored one, with two conversions from the boot of Centre Pete Stanbury. The 2s make the short trip to Letchworth for a Cup match next week.
Scores 
The league: Counties 1 Herts/Middx