Hitchin 17 Barnet 3 HITCHIN got their first league points of the season with a crucial win over their Hertfordshire rivals Barnet Elizabethans. Captain Paul Howard said: It was a great response to last week s performance. I m proud of the effort the boy

Hitchin 17 Barnet 3

HITCHIN got their first league points of the season with a crucial win over their Hertfordshire rivals Barnet Elizabethans.

Captain Paul Howard said: "It was a great response to last week's performance.

"I'm proud of the effort the boys put in at training during the week and the result on the field.

"All the lads, particularly the forwards, got stuck in from the off and were definitely up for it.

"We've been guilty of waiting 20 minutes to get into the game in the past but not on Saturday."

Hitchin started the stronger by pinning Barnet in their 22 for the first 15 minutes of the game surprisingly coming away empty handed.

It was on their second stint in the Barnet half that strong work from the front row of Tim Rogers, Shaun Prutton and Ben Alsopp saw Hitchin capitalise on a solid platform.

This resulted in a try to centre Jimmy Scott following an audacious 25-yard pass from fellow centre Brendan McIlraith.

Barnet came back strongly and were rewarded with a penalty close to the posts following some significant pressure in the Hitchin 22.

Startled into life again, Hitchin began from the kick off pressurising the Barnet scrum and lineout.

Openside Chris Ramsden and man of the match Stuart De Wolf made significant inroads with some devastating tackles and barnstorming runs.

Hitchin were finally rewarded again shortly before half time when scrum-half Dan Squire collected his own chip and chase to dot down under the posts.

Squire converted to leave Hitchin 12-3 ahead at the break.

The second half was similar to the first although handling errors saw both teams squander a number of try scoring opportunities.

The only score of the half was a try to Hitchin scored by Jonathan Joff Lord, on as a substitute for Prutton, with his first touch of the ball clearing up at the back of a ruck on the Barnet line and ploughing over to touch down.

Barnet threw everything at Hitchin for the last 10 minutes and only staunch defence prevented them closing the gap.

Hitchin are away to the Crusaders in the second round of the EDF Energy Senior Vase this Saturday.

This sees a clash with former Hitchin coach Simon Charnley. Transport will be leaving the club at 11.15am and spaces for supporters are still available.