Hitchin's first home league game of the season brought their first victory - and against near neighbours too.

They beat Datchworth 30-25  in Counties One Herts Middlesex and although they did pick up the maximum five points on offer, the contest was as close as the score suggests.

The Hedgehogs did make the perfect start as Callum Cload exchanged passes with Frazer McGown to go over after three minutes.

But almost from the kick-off, Datchworth were level, a quick-tap penalty from close range bringing the first away try.

Hitchin's defence was found wanting once more as Datchworth exploited the right edge and broke a covering tackle to score a second try but Harry Chater did kick three points from in front of the sticks to regain some sort of rhythm for the home side.

And it worked as a strong carry from Jaden Elley-Murphy drew in defenders for McGown to bounce through the remaining cover and score.

Datchworth kicked a penalty of their own to take a 15-13 lead and then got a third try in the corner.

But Hitchin, who had to contend with a sin-bin in the first half, were able to cancel that out by half-time, a five-metre scrum was eventually punched over three phrases later by James Bolter.

The second half though finally saw some daylight between the sides.

A penalty which was kicked to touch and after the maul made progress, Chater found McGown with a miss-pass to score in the right corner.

They then went 30-20 in front with 10 minutes to play.

Bolter slipped through a tackle round the fringe of the ruck and offloaded to Xander Szanto to finish, Greg Ranson adding the conversion.

But Datchworth weren't finished.

Bolter made one crucial tackle into touch as they were set to score but the pressure eventually told with Logan Armstrong, impressive throughout, scoring in the right corner.

They were given hope of the win when a Hitchin high tackle was punished by yellow.

The resulting catch and drive though was repelled and with that that, the final whistle was blown.

Hitchin's second team were soundly beaten 55-20 at Cheshunt.

Letchworth are finding life at the higher level tough as they fell to a 51-13 loss at home to Colchester, leaving them bottom of Regional One South Central.

They did hold their own for good spells but the final 20 minutes saw the Essex side completely dominant as they rose to the other end of the table.

The first half though was tight and finished with just seven points between the teams, Colchester leading 15-8.

It was actually the home side that got the opening try.

Jack Askham had already gone close but it was from a line-out that Tom Lewis drove forward and released Rick Streets for the five points.

Letchworth had good field position after that but couldn't take advantage of them and three unconverted scores by the visitors swamped Josh Sharp's solitary penalty in reply.

However, it was clear in the opening minutes of the second half, that Letchworth were going to make a fight of it.

Will Titherington and Jordan Sullivan-Warner were to the fore but it was Ben Wilkinson who got the try, the conversion missing the chance to tie the scores.

That though was as good as it got for the home side as Colchester eased clear, with that final quarter proving tough viewing for the home faithful.

The seconds though had a stirring 54-20 victory at Leighton Buzzard with Tommy Robinson bagging four tries.