Hitchin 29 Royston 6 THE Hedgehogs won the battle of the North Herts clubs to reach the last eight in the Herts Presidents Trophy. Royston secured the first points after an infringement within kicking distance awarded the visitors three points. Hitchin r

Hitchin 29 Royston 6

THE Hedgehogs won the battle of the North Herts clubs to reach the last eight in the Herts Presidents' Trophy.

Royston secured the first points after an infringement within kicking distance awarded the visitors three points.

Hitchin responded with a quick kick-off and entrenched themselves in Royston's 22. Multiple phases eventually saw Adam Shaw go over in the corner.

Hitchin attacked again from the kick-off. The lighter Hitchin pack winning the race to the breakdowns to secure good ball, especially Simon Banner and Chris Davies.

Unfortunately a silly incident resulted in a Royston player cooling his heels in the sin bin.

Royston, down to 14 men, provided Vinnie Kevans with space to go round his man and score in the corner.

Hitchin rested on their laurels slightly and allowed the visitors back into the game just before half time with another three pointer.

Following half time, both teams came with renewed vigour, and completely differing styles of rugby.

Royston opted for a close game testing the Hitchin defence at rucks and mauls.

Hitchin replied with a strong defence led by man of the match Sean McGinnity and fast paced open game.

This style paid off when Jimmy Scott made a break to score under the posts.

The highlight of the half was Hitchin's penultimate try.

From good lineout ball won by Nick Panton, Kevans was put into a gap but was brought down over the gain line.

Good quick rucking from McGinnity and Joe Benucci provided quick ball to unleash the Hitchin backs and put Phil Thomas over in the corner.

The game was rounded off with more quick play that put Scott in space. Scott dodged and weaved through the broken Royston defence to score his second.

Hitchin hope to continue their winning streak in Saturday's critical league match against Old Actonians.

Other scores: Hitchin II 10 UCS Old Boys II 26; Hitchin III 0 Ely III 17; Hitchin IV 0 Watford II 10.