A late fightback brings two bonus points and shifts Hitchin up one place in the table - even if the visit of Hemel Hempstead still ended in defeat.

The Hedgehogs trailed 24-5 at the break but the second half was totally different as they stormed into the lead, only to see second-placed Camelot snatch a late try and a 29-26 win.

Hemel had scored two converted tries and a penalty before Hitchin broke their duck in the Counties One Herts Middlesex match, a rolling maul from a line-out finished off by Fred Rooney.

The visitors managed another seven points though before half-time as Hitchin's discipline and missed tackles proved costly.

But they stirred after the interval.

Another line-out brought another Rooney try, this one converted by Ben Wiggins, and he converted again after a try from brother Dan.

And when Wiggins added a third kick, after a third try from Rooney. Hitchin had the lead at 26-24.

 

But with 10 minutes remaining, another penalty conceded allowed Hemel to drive over the line to clinch victory.

Up in Regional Two Anglia, Letchworth made it 11 games without defeat with a 34-14 success at home to Stowmarket.

An early try for Dan Peasnell was rubbed out for a forward pass but they did manage to score inside the opening 10 minutes, Will Titherington diving over in the corner after the pack had won a scrum against the head.

Minutes later and a strong run from Tatenda Gurere saw him gobble up the ground before setting up Tom Lewis to wrestle his way over the whitewash.

Luke Mongston was then held up after a driving maul but the Legends got try number three with Stowmarket a man short, Samson Ma’asi crossing under the posts to give Titherington an easy conversion to make it 17-0.

But from there Stowmarket battled back.

An interception from a loose pass by Lewis sent them scurrying in from half-way and after more pressure, they got a second when full-back Chris Gibbs misjudged a bounce, making it 17014 at half-time.

Letchworth brought Jack Askham on after a few weeks out with injury while Danny Hay was given a debut in the centres.

Askham, hugging the left touchline, nearly scored with his first touch after strong running from Mongston and winger Kyle Toomey, but the pass went just behind him and he couldn't hang on to the ball.

But it wasn't long before the got the bonus point try, Gurure again the provide with Mongston getting the score.

Mongston was involved in try number five, breaking the line after receiving a flat pass and then finding Ma’asi for his second and a 15-point lead.

They bossed the final 15 minutes but seemed to be passing up opportunities, a line-out going astray when they were deep inside the Stowmarket 22 one such example.

Letchworth’s scrum had been dominant throughout the game, and it was a penalty at a set-piece that led to Letchworth’s final score.

Man of the match Titherington kicked to the 22 on the right touchline and a superb driving maul allowed Askham to go over.

The conversion was missed but Letchworth remain top by four points from Southend Saxons.