The motivation was clear for league leaders Hitchin 2XV. A win of any description would secure promotion to Counties 2 Herts for the 2026/27 season.

Hitchin capitalised on the dropped kick off, earning a penalty on the 22 metre line which was kicked through the sticks by Fly Half Cian Hynes.

Cuffley have been unpredictable this season, winning against some of the league's big hitters, but forfeiting their home fixture with Hitchin earlier in the season. Today they only named 16 players on their teamsheet.

Despite this impediment, the visitors visited the Hitchin 22, and left with the lead. Their big forwards did some damage, and a neat move from a tap penalty put the Outside Centre into a gap to score the opening try of the match, inside 10 minutes.

Hitchin won a series of penalties in the attacking 22, but opting for the scrum was not working in their favour. Hynes elected to kick after 25 minutes, and scored from close range to give Hitchin a slender 6-5 lead.

The Hedgehogs exited well from the kick off, and a break from Number 8 Ryan Arbon injected momentum. With penalty advantage, Second Row Jon Welsford hit a great angle off Hynes, pumped his legs through multiple tackles to score a terrific try.

The referee was sharp on high tackles, meaning that the defending side was at an increased risk of conceding penalties. One such penalty was kicked to touch, and a tightly formed maul reached the five metre line, before Hooker Ewan Rawlings broke free to score Hitchin's second try, converted from our wide by Hynes.

Hitchin were reduced to 14 men after an accumulation of high tackles. They were unable to recover possession, and the Inside Centre scored a hard earned second Cuffley try. Halftime score Hitchin 2XV 20-12 Cuffley.

After some choice words from Coach Phill Ryan, Hitchin spent the first five minutes locked in a midfield battle. Prop Luke Warren pilfered a ruck, and Welsford quick tapped the penalty to advance down the pitch. Cuffley could not recover, and three passes found the ball in Rawlings' hands. Rawlings outstripped one, defender and stepped inside another to finish off a sweeping attack.

Cuffley received a yellow card, but Hitchin failed to make inroads in a drab 10 minute spell in the middle of the second half.

The wind was in Hitchin's favour and Hynes managed the game superbly. As Cuffley fatigued under the constant waves of attack, the last thing they wanted to see running at them was Number 8 Joe Burton, who would not be stopped from 10 metres out. Hitchin had their bonus point, and a 20 point lead.

Centre Jack Galer jackalled at the ruck, and Hynes decided to tap and go. Two phases later, Hynes stepped around a tired defender and inside the covering Winger to score with 5 minutes to play.

From their own half, Hitchin's back line attacked again, and Captain Greg Ranson ran into space, drawing his defender and passing to Winger Will Theaker. Theaker could have scored himself but unselfishly passed to Hynes, the two former Hendon teammates combining for Hynes' seconds try of the match. Hynes' successful conversion brought about the final whistle, and the promotion celebrations.

Hitchin need three points to be crowned Counties 3 Herts champions, with fourth placed Watford the hosts for the penultimate match of the campaign on Saturday 11th April. A place in the Herts President's Trophy Final was also secured with this win, with the date and location of the Final to be confirmed.