Verulamians U14s secured promotion to Herts and Middlesex Division Five after beating second-placed Hitchin.

Vees turned around a five-point, half-time deficit to beat their promotion rivals 22-17, with Ben Meyrick’s 40-yard jaunt completing a stunning comeback.

Hitchin took an early lead after winning two scrums against the head and crossing in the corner. Vees responded with a pick-and-drive but Jacques Hladkyj was held up as he went over.

The equalising score came from the resulting scrum as Harry Brown picked up the ball and powered through Hitchin’s line. Lewis Casey added the extras to give Vees a 7-5 lead.

Meyrick crossed the line before the break for the first of his three tries but it came after a purple patch from Hitchin, who lead 17-12 at half-time.

Vees poured forward in the second half and only stout defence and bad luck kept them out. Jake Ireland was stripped of the ball in the act of ground and Tom Edwards was pushed into touch just short of the line on three occasions.

The try did eventually come as, after several phases, Meyrick dotted down. And he was not to be denied his third as, following a good break by Alex Towle and quick hands through the backs, he won the game.