Hitchin 2's 36 v Letchworth 2's 23

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Due to Ely pulling out of the scheduled league game, Letchworth 2's were the visitors to Old Hale Way to provide a stiff test for the in-form Hitchin 2's.

The tempo of the game early on was high, and both teams trading early penalties in an end to end first fifteen minutes. Hitchin were the first team to cross the whitewash, with youngster Jonathan Allen backing himself and taking on the Letchworth defence.

Jonathan Allen and Steve Merritt were making their debut's in this match, and Merritt, not to be outdone by Allen, crossed the try-line soon after with a speedy run from scrum half.

Letchworth then hit back with a try of their own, which came from Hitchin's lack of discipline in defence. Hitchin crossed again soon after, with some good work from Allen again, putting Adam Naylor through a gap on half way, and there was no stopping him as he crashed through the defence and over the line.

In the second half Letchworth threatened to come back into it, and were camped on Hitchin's line for most of the half, and even when Hitchin were reduced to 14 men when full-back Michael Painter was sin-binned, they still couldn’t get through a tenacious Hitchin defence.

Some powerful angled runs from Naylor got Hitchin back up the field, when the forwards took over and Owen Holden crossed the line to bag himself a try. Then, some quick thinking from Steve Merritt sent Aiken Verscheer away up the blind side, to score in the corner and wrap up a fantastic win against Letchworth, who play in the league above.

Both Merritt and Allen endeared themselves to their new team-mates, and the supporters in attendance, with very mature performances. They were phenomenal in both attack and defence, and they fully deserved the plaudits given to them after the game. The forwards took the ball up well, With Aaron Johnson leading by example with some barnstorming runs, and the effervescent Stuart De Wolf always on hand to take Hitchin forward.

Hitchin resume their League campaign next week away at Shelford 4’s, which is a league and cup double-header. Hitchin 2’s are currently 2nd in the Greene King Premier Merit Table, with winning the league and promotion, still a very realistic possibility.

Team Stuart de Wolf, Conor Henry, Aaron Johnson, Ryan Arbon, Kieran Barringer, Michael Bestwick, Karl Brooks, Jim Panter, Steve Merritt, Johnathon Allan, Matthew Lippard, Adam Naylor, Ashley Cochrane, Aiken Verschuur, Michael Painter

Subs Owen Holden, Simon Goodlad

Scores T: Adam Naylor (1), Owen Holden (1), Johnathon Allan (1), Aiken Verschuur (1), Steve Merritt (1) C: Johnathon Allan (1) P: Johnathon Allan (3)

Player(s) of Match 1. Johnathon Allan