Hitchin 16 Old Actonians 11 Hitchin entertained London visitors Old Actonians in a rearranged match and struggled to stamp their authority in a must-win game. But promotion is now a possibility and they are now firmly established in third in Herts/Middles

Hitchin 16 Old Actonians 11

Hitchin entertained London visitors Old Actonians in a rearranged match and struggled to stamp their authority in a must-win game.

But promotion is now a possibility and they are now firmly established in third in Herts/Middlesex One.

The team management group of captain Carwyn Morgan, head coach Dave Marshall and assistant coach Joe Duignam now need to work on cutting out the errors and preparing their team for the drive to promotion which ends in mid April.

The Hedgehogs fielded a number of changes from previous weeks, due to unavailabilities and injuries as well as having a weary 'Taff' Thomas playing his fifth game in seven days.

Thomas had played for the RAF Under-23s versus Irish Students the night before.

The match started at a brisk pace with the Hedgehogs continuing their game plan from previous weeks.

Within minutes, after soaking up the pressure in their 22, they turned over the visitors' ball and then swept majestically up field.

Offloading quickly in the tackle, winger Simon Beadel had the space and speed to cut inside the cover defence to score a well-worked try which was converted by Thomas to give Hitchin a 7-0 lead.

From the resulting kick off, the home forwards took a clean catch and drove deep into Actonians' territory where the visitors conceded a penalty which Thomas converted into three points to put the Hedgehogs further ahead.

Then Hitchin did an 'England' by taking their feet off the pedal, and proceeded to let the London side back into the game.

The home side gave away too much possession with silly mis-directed kicks, turned over too much ball in contact and put in too may weak tackles to allow Actonians to score two penalty goals and a try to end the half in front.

Coach Dave Marshall's half-time team talk managed to stop the rot and the second half was less error strewn.

But the Hitchin side now had to contend with a more confident opposition who thought they could sneak a win.

Hitchin proceeded to grind out what was a well-deserved win by getting into position where fly-half Mick 'Magic' Jones kicked a well-worked drop goal and full-back Thomas converted a late penalty to see the Hedgehogs victorious.

Other scores: Hitchin B 47 Royston II 7; Hitchin IV 7 Ruislip III 48; Hitchin Colts 10 Dunstablians Colts 27; Hitchin Ladies 5 Tabard Ladies 15.

* Datchworth were beaten 31-11 at home by Enfield Ignatians in a rearranged game in the London Three North West.