Hackney 22-34 Hitchin
Hitchin travelled to Hackney, hoping to take the spoils again after a 13-12 home victory earlier in the season.
The hosts started the stronger and opened the scoring after 5 minutes, the backs executing an overload to score on the right edge.
The Hedgehogs shook off the early setback to score their opener, a powerful effort from Captain James Bolter. Within the first quarter Hitchin went ahead, brute force again proving effective and Bolter again proving unstoppable to apply the finishing touch.
Hitchin failed to field the kick off, and a penalty for a high tackle was kicked deep into the Hitchin 22. Hackney employed their highly efficient rolling maul to full effect, and marched over the Hitchin line to score their second try.
The Hitchin pack, by contrast, were dominating the scrum, to such an extent that they elected to scrum a 5 metre penalty. The scrum moved forward at such a pace that the ball could not be controlled, but Scrum Half Will Evans reacted quickest to collect and dart over the try line. Fly Half Dan Wiggins converted again to extend the lead to 9 points.
In contrast to the cagey fixture between these two sides earlier in the season, this was a free flowing affair, and crucially Hitchin took the initiative. Centre Simon Taylor, who the hosts were struggling to deal with, scored the bonus point try in the left corner.
Hackney's third try followed after another failure to field the kick off, but Hitchin pressed back immediately. Wiggins found Taylor in the attacking 22, and Taylor put in fellow Centre Jaden Elley-Murphy on a hard line with a deft pass, to score under the posts. Half time score Hackney 17-31 Hitchin.
On a heavy pitch, fatigue played its part in a second half that was as subdued as the first half was entertaining. Hitchin had lost their momentum, and when a penalty in front of the sticks was awarded, Wiggins kicked 3 points to extend the lead to 3 scores.
With the clock ticking down and Hitchin unable to recover their attacking momentum, Hackney applied territorial pressure in search of a late comeback. The Hedgehogs dug in, and limited Hackney to securing a bonus point with a fourth try after 75 minutes.
Hitchin remain in seventh place in Counties 1 Herts/Middlesex, and next host top of the table Cheshunt on Saturday 3rd February. Hitchin 2XV also welcome their counterparts from Cheshunt to Old Hale Way.
Scores 
The league: Counties 1 Herts/Middx