There were two fine victories in differing circumstances for both Hitchin and Letchworth rugby clubs.

Hitchin beat bottom of the table Hackney 30-18 in Counties One Herts Middlesex, their third success in seven games, to move up to sixth.

But several changes to the side due to injuries and illness meant they never took full control and a malfunctioning line-out gave the visitors to Old Hale Way plenty of precious possession and territory.

The away side got the first points too after a wayward kick was gathered and returned via a couple of ineffective tackles.

The Comet:

Rhys Gregory levelled for Hitchin but Hackney went back in front with a penalty after the hosts strayed offside in front of the posts.

That though would be the last time they led as first Phil Ryan set up Glynn Hughes to score out wide and then skipper James Bolter broke through before passing to to James Hunt to score.

Hackney got another try after this but Hitchin secured the bonus-point before half-time, Armel Baufume the scorer.

All six tries though went unconverted, meaning it was a precarious 20-13 for the Hedgehogs.

The kicking woes continued in the second half with the three scores again not being turned into seven points.

Hitchin won the second half battle though thanks to Bolter and a second for Gregory but there was further concern as both Bolter (concussion) and Ian Crompton (hamstring) failed to finish the match.

Crompton's centre partner Simon Taylor was named man of the match.

Letchworth's sixth win in seven league games was much more straight forward as they beat Norwich 51-12.

They too had changes to their squad but it never affected the defensive side of their game as the line remained relatively untroubled for long periods.

They were ahed in three minutes, winning a line-out just outside the Norwich 22 and spreading it wide for Kyle Toomey to go over in the corner with Will Titherington converting.

And, like Hitchin, they had their bonus point by half-time.

Try number two came after three attempts at a rolling maul from a line-out, Kyle Hughes going over, and tries number three and four were carbon copies.

The third came from a little further out and with Oscar Robinson getting the score while it was back to the five-metre line for the fourth, Dan Peasnell getting there ahead of Hughes.

Norwich proved they could utilise the maul too to get their first try but Letchworth had the final say in the half with a fifth try.

It came with Norwich minus one player in the sin-bin and ended with Tatenda Gurure going over for a 27-5 lead.

The opening score of the second period took 10 minutes to come, Josh Staddon making the initial burst before slipping it to Gurure for his second.

Titherington added the extras to this one but was off target a few minutes later after Toomey and Staddon had tore through the Norwich defence, Peasnell getting his second of the day.

Norwich lost one of their players to a nasty-looking injury but after the delay Staddon got his full-deserved try, gathering a loose ball inside the Norwich 22 before getting up to score.

That was converted and they went close to another try on a few occasions before eventually finishing off their day.

Matt Olley, one of the colts making his debut, was bundled into touch just short and the same fate befel Liam Fitts, a move which saw the departure of Jack Askham to a leg injury sustained in the build-up.

The score though came from Gurure, his hat-trick, and moments after he had been held up over the line.

Norwich got the final score as a consolation for their efforts but that was all Letchworth would give them after another good day.