It was honours even between Letchworth Garden City and visitors Old Crossleyans in a pre-season encounter. Mike Stack, who has bulked up considerably over the summer, scored two tries for Letchworth and put in a couple of bone-crunching tackles. Skipper J

It was honours even between Letchworth Garden City and visitors Old Crossleyans in a pre-season encounter.

Mike Stack, who has bulked up considerably over the summer, scored two tries for Letchworth and put in a couple of bone-crunching tackles.

Skipper Jaggi Johal showed he has lost none of his sharpness over the close season and new prop Mark 'Budge' Burgess looked impressive.

While Old Crossleyans played the game with a settled side, coach Muddy Waters utilised all of his 25-man squad and this obviously led to a lack of sustained flow in the Letchwoth play. However, it proved a useful exercise to test the mettle of several youngsters.

After 20 minutes of nip and tuck, the deadlock was broken with a well-worked move as Gavin Donald's miss pass found Stack who broke a tackle to go over.

Good hands from the backs which somehow included veteran prop Nick Winwood saw flanker Dave Green sprint 50 yards for a second score. Old Crossleyans scored an unconverted try just before half time and further pressure saw them take the lead 12-10 in the early minutes of the second half.

Letchworth hit back when Henry Robinson, who again shone in the home side's back three, kicked a deft ball through which Stack chased down to score.

Old Crossleyans responded with another fine individual effort before quick passing led to Rick Streets racing over to score what looked to be a decider.

However in the dying moments the visitors worked the ball well to the wing and scored in the corner to tie up matters at 22-22.

* Datchworth have made a bright start to the new season and the villagers travelled to Brighton for a pre-season warm-up tour.

With six short matches being played, all players were tried in various positions ready for this week's National Cup match against Ipswich at Datchworth.

The match kicks-off at 3pm at the club on Saturday.

Datchworth continue to look for new players from the area. If interested, you can email rugby@datchworthsportsclub.com or visit www.datchworthrfc.co.uk

Datchworth are running four sides at various levels so there is a place for people of all abilities and ages.

The youth section is still running sides from under-sevens through to under-19 colts.