Letchworth 12 Norwich 27 Letchworth s supporters were hardly tickled pink as they slumped to a home defeat. The team started brightly enough, taking advantage of a stiff wind on their backs, after a pre-match lunch in the clubhouse in aid of the breast ca

Letchworth 12

Norwich 27

Letchworth's supporters were hardly tickled pink as they slumped to a home defeat.

The team started brightly enough, taking advantage of a stiff wind on their backs, after a pre-match lunch in the clubhouse in aid of the breast cancer charity which raised an impressive £650.

Gavin Donald pegged Norwich to the corners and, with Lyndsey Hogg prominent, soon earned a penalty. Donald stepped up to take the three points.

There was a hint of deja vu about the next score, as Letchworth's concentration wandered immediately from the kick off.

With both wingers involved, Norwich showed good hands and pace for their 11 to round his man and score under the posts. The simplest of kicks was missed.

Letchworth pressed again and with the tackles thudding in, both physios were kept busy, Donald recapturing the lead with a three pointer.

The game began to open up, with Chris Pugh unlucky as he chipped down his wing.

Simon Hill at prop was fired up and unlucky to be penalised as his opposite number retreated under the pressure.

Letchworth, slow to react again, were made to pay the penalty as Norwich's speedy winger showed his pace again. His kicker failed to reward the score with the conversion.

Norwich lost their focus at the restart, again conceding three points from Donald's boot.

With 40 minutes gone, an extra 10 minutes were amazingly played.

Letchworth could not string phases together but did take the lead as the Norwich hooker was yellow carded.

Their two-point lead looked vulnerable as the teams eventually changed ends.

Luke Starr had a Jekyll and Hyde afternoon, robust as ever in the tackle and turning over ball, but struggling to find his 10 with the pass.

James Nye incurred the wrath of the referee with his rucking for Norwich to sneak a lead with the hardest kick of the day.

This encouraged the visitors who hammered at the Letchworth defence. Phil Pearson made an outstanding tackle in the corner to prevent a try. Credit to the tackled man who picked himself up and congratulated the young back rower.

The eventual breakthrough came after Letchworth had stemmed the tide and were fighting their way back upfield.

Whether it was luck or vision, Norwich's 10 spotted a forward out wide and fired a speculative diagonal to the corner. It was 11 again who won the foot race for his hat-trick.

Gary Glencross was everywhere, trying to make the difference, but Norwich were on a collective high.

Their other winger, who had caused problems all day, finished off matters with a converted try to put the game out of reach.

Paul Hughes raised hopes with a line break and run but the move came to nothing.