Welwyn turned on the style to record a second victory over the season - beating old sparring partners Hitchin.

The two clubs have battled each other many times over the years but it was the Hobbs Way-based rugby club who got the best of this Counties One Herts Middlesex battle with a 22-5 home success.

And not only was it entertaining for those watching on, but they also continued their ever-improving curve.

Early exchanges promised an exciting game with Welwyn playing expansive rugby but some of their passes did not go to hand and Hitchin capitalised on the errors.

Ten minutes in and a driving maul gave the visitors the lead but the five points would prove to be their only score of the day as Welwyn turned in an excellent defensive performance.

They prevented Hitchin from getting back into the home 22 for much of the game.

Towards the end of the first half, Welwyn's second-row forward, Anton Denton, broke through Hitchin's defence to score.

That levelled the scores and with Chris Kemp missing the conversion, that is how the two sides turned round.

The second half saw the elements in Welwyn’s favour and they continued to press with captain Josh Milton held up over the line.

However,  the strong Welwyn backs were winning the battle with their opposition and an excellent break by Vetaia Kawea enabled him to slip a pass to Fin Sutherland who went over in the corner. 

An excellent conversation from Kemp put Welwyn into a 12-5 lead and they continued to attack after the restart.

The pressure brought a penalty inside of the 22 and Kemp did the business, adding another three points,

Welwyn’s backs were now really enjoying themselves and with 10 minutes to go they put the exclamation point on the win with an excellent move that freed Sutherland to score his second of the day.

Kemp again slotted the extras and while they couldn't find a fourth bonus point try, the result was still a confidence boosting one, lifting them up to eighth place.

Datchworth are two spots behind them after a 49-10 loss to Old Streetonians.

A former player of both Datchworth and Welwyn is getting ready for the inaugural WXV tournament in New Zealand this autumn.

Hannah Botterman is part of a 30-strong squad who face Australia on Friday in Wellington before going to Dunedin for a match with Canada on October 27.

They then face the hosts in Auckland on Saturday, November 4.

Botterman is joined by two more former Welwyn juniors, Helena Rowland and Ella Wyrwas, the first of which will be one of the two vice-captains to skipper Marlie Packer.