St Albans had to settle for a losing bonus point as Hitchin came from behind to claim a 16-10 win.

Saints had hoped they could repeat their victory from earlier in the season, and looked to be on course when Dave Jones crashed over in the first half.

However a second-half revival from the hosts meant a losing bonus point, secured by a Mark Kentish penalty late on was all they left with.

The Oakland Lane-based rugby club had started well and kept Hitchin pinned deep inside their own half.

Aggressive forward play and strong running made the visitors look dangerous, but they lacked the finishing skills to turn their superiority into points.

And they had to wait until the second quarter for Jones to find a chink in the defensive line following an effective forward drive, Kentish adding the extras.

But despite continued pressure no further score was forthcoming and Hitchin sensed they were still in the game.

With the wind at their backs in the second half the hosts, helped by a number of infringements by Saints, soon got on the scoreboard with a penalty kick.

Hitchin looked far more effective and were justly rewarded with a well worked but unconverted try, edging them in front.

With the Saints penalty count creeping ever upwards, Hitchin sensed they could kill of the game, something they did through another unconverted try.

A penalty suggested Saints would leave empty-handed until Kentish kicked his own three points to reward them for their early endeavours with a bonus point.

Next week St. Albans welcome Hackney to Boggymead and will need to be far more clinical if they want something from one of the Leagues pacesetters.

Kick-off is 2pm.