Letchworth have been confirmed as Regional Two Anglia champions without playing.

They had confirmation that struggling Chingford would not be travelling to Legends Lane, handing them a walkover victory.

That in itself wasn't enough but news filtered through during the afternoon that nearest rivals Eton Manor had lost 17-14 at Brentwood, meaning Letchworth had an unassailable 11-point lead with just two games remaining.

There was still some rugby to watch at home as Letchworth seconds won 29-26 against Hertford thirds in a Herts Middlesex Merit Table One clash, only their third success of the season.

Chris Gibbs bagged a hat-trick and there were tries too for James Buchanan and Sam Richardson, while Danny Hay kicked two conversions.

There were celebrations for Hitchin too, and for one of their players in particular.

Nick Panton won his 250th cap for the club as the home side romped to a 42-5 win over Datchworth.

Played on Friday night under the lights at Old Hale Way, the contest was an entertaining affair and further proof of Hitchin's fine form in 2023, this their fifth consecutive bonus-point success.

They had to do it the hard way too, having gone behind on nine minutes to a Ieuen Bryant-Fowler try.

Ben Wiggins was also reaching a milestone, this his 100th cap for the first team, and it was his kick to the corner that started the ball rolling for the Hedgehogs.

The line-out was caught and rumbled to the line before Gary Ayres broke free to score.

Datchworth missed a kick at goal to put themselves back in front and they were soon hit by a sucker punch as Glynn Hughes, Wiggins and Ian Crompton sprung the overlap, Jon Welsford running in unopposed.

But having turned round 14-5 in front, Hitchin used the second half to pull clear of their young opponents.

Another Wiggins kick gave them territory and after the maul was repelled, Phil Ryan picked up from a ruck to touch down under the sticks.

The bonus point came after terrific work in a defensive maul from Welsford turned momentum Hitchin's way after a 10-minute lull and two devastating breaks through the middle by James Bolter set the platform for Ayres to score his second try of the match.

The fifth try was a study in determination.

Hitchin twice recovered possession in their own half to relieve the pressure before Wiggins put Bolter through a gap, making 30 metres up the middle.

The try though was scored by Welsford who showed an impressive turn of pace to outstrip the defence.

And Hitchin wrapped things up late on with a sixth score.

Bolter had been held up over the line just moments before but he would not be denied, finding a gap and bouncing off two tackles to find his way over the whitewash

Hitchin continued to threaten but were unable to add to their tally in the final five minutes.

The result leaves the Hedgehogs in fifth place in Counties One Herts Middlesex but now just four points behind fourth place Old Streetonians.

The win also confirms their place in the final of the Herts President's Cup.

Their good form will be put to the test on Saturday when they go to second-place Hemel Hempstead.