In their first overseas tour since 2007 Leighton Buzzard RFC flew east to Hungary and the historical city of Budapest, the banks of the Danube proved to be a happy hunting ground for the Buzzards as they overcame two of the strongest rugby teams in Hungary. Beating Gödöll?i Ördögök and Budapest Exiles to return home unbeaten.

Buzzards left Luton airport early on Friday morning with with their first match scheduled for Friday afternoon and second fixture arranged for Sunday aftrenoon, the team touched down at Budapest Feringhey airport, where the team bus was waiting to whisk the Buzzards through the Hungarian countryside to Gödöll?i University to face their first opponents of the tour - the match had been heavily promoted locally and, a large crowd awaited Leighton Buzzard as they arrived at the ground that had been specially prepared for the visit. Gödöll?i womens team played a curtain raiser before the afternoons main event.

Gödöll?i Ördögök SE 28-72 Leighton Buzzard RFC .

The home side were exceptionally proud to welcome an English touring side to their home turf for the first time, and took to the pitch resplendent in a brand new playing strip that bore a striking resemblence to that of the England team! By kick off the local temperature had reached 28 degrees, another test for the travelling Leighton squad. Buzzards named a strong side to face Gödöll?i and the opening exchanges were quite evenly matched as the home side used their strength to keep Buzzards out, whilst making some exciting forays into Leighton territory, whiping the gathered locals into a frenzy.

Buzzards suffered a blow early on when hooker Andy Jenkins was forced from the field of play after less than 90 seconds of playing time, the tenacious Jenkins suffering a dead leg in a collision, that would keep him out of the remainder of the tour. Gödöll?i were moving the ball around well, as would be expected from a side containing Hungarian international 7s players.

Luke Ilic grabbed a brace of tries as he made light work of the defence on both times in a masterclass of attractive rugby. Elliott Swann crashed over for a fine forwards try midway through the first half to cap a good performance and moments later Alessandro Parias was on the score sheet for the forwards, thundering through to the delight of the visitors, playmaker Nick Turney was in inspired form as his self less distribution of the ball set up 6 of the afternoons scores. Tricky scrum-half James Ward carried on the fine form that has seen him earn his place in the 1st XV this season with a wonderful score, his evasive running taking him over the try line for another Buzzard score.

Buzzards were making an early mark on the game, knowing the heat would work against them later in the match. Where as many teams would have head their heads down firmly at this point Gödöll?i's fine team spirit ensured that they kept hounding Buzzards, their quick rush defence was still causing trouble and they made good yardage after picking up on some intercepted passes. Although they were not able to benefit from their field position,

Jake Wheeler and Gary Denning linked well in attack - Wheeler drew the defence before putting Gary Denning in the hole, Denning, coming from a deep position then used his punishing strength to plough through for the score.

Full-back Will Henderson scored a wonderful second half hat-trick, less than a week after completing the London Marathon, Henderson made light work of the tiring defence to scorch through midfield and under the posts, his third of the afternoon was arguably his best as he went the long way round before beating the  Gödöll?i  fullback - Henderson even nailed a drop goal conversion from the touchline. Geoff Branwhite was also on excellent form grabbing a couple of scores.

Eddie Payne grabbed two well worked scores, reward for his strong support play. With the game entering its final phases Winger James Davis, playing his first match in four months following hand surgery crashed over in the corner to bring a close to the scoring, Eddie Payne was the architect with a fine pass reaching the onrushing winger. Davis was unable to follow up his score as his conversion attempt failed to clear the crossbar.

The best try of the afternoon went to the hosts, the Gödöll?i captain making a superb break followed by a chip over the remaining Buzzard defender and a fine collect ensured applause from all including the travelling Leighton Buzzard support.

The final score 72-28 in Buzzards favour, however praise must go to Gödöll?i  who scored four converted tries, each one bringing the partisan Hungarian home crowd to their feet in rapture, the game was played in a fine spirit and was refereed by an IRB international referee. Both Gödöll?i and Leighton Buzzard thoroughly enjoyed the match and following both sides retired to the Gödöll?i clubhouse for a traditional Hungarian post match celebration.

Saturday saw a day of rest for the Buzzards with many of the team having celebrated the previous days victory well into the early hours of the morning in central Budapest. Some of the squad travelled north of the capital to Esztergom on the Slovakian border to watch Hungary take on Norway in an international rugby match. The remainder of the squad took the opportunity to make use of Hungary's finest Olympic Swimming facillities and engage in some water based activities. The evening saw the squad take to the city centre for a traditional Hungarian buffet grill before descending once again on the Budapest disco scene.

Budapest Exiles RFC 28-36 Leighton Buzzard RFC.

Sunday saw Buzzards travel just outside of Budapest to Leayanu to play Budapest Exiles RFC, one of the strongest rugby teams in Central Europe. The game was played on a pitch on the banks of the River Danube, with a particularly hard pitch, there were concerns how Buzzards would cope following their exertions on Friday. Exiles were a different proposition to Gödöll?i, whereas Gödöll?i were a developing young side from the local town and university, Exiles were an established force and draw on a large population of expat players living in Budapest to form the nucleus of a successful side with many experienced players amongst their ranks. From the outset this match was being dubbed "the test match" an indication of the battle that lay ahead.

Leighton started brightly from the kick off with fly-half Jon Ilic making a powerful run straight through the heart of the Exiles defence, he was brought down agonisingly close to the try line, Buzzards were unable to profit from this early attack though as Exiles cleared their lines well and embarked on a period of attack themselves.

Buzzards were first to open their account for the afternoo, Eddie Payne's pulsating running leaving defenders in his wake as he shot over from 10 yards.

The home side hit back in spectacular fashion with two rampaging tries to put the Exiles in the lead for the first time - Budapest taking the physical route to the line rather than use their backs who were lining up across the field. Buzzards, now behind for the first time on Hungarian soil looked to fire an immediate response, Ed Payne and Dan Baroux linked well off the back of a charging drive by Alessandro Parias to get Leighton Buzzard to half way. James Ward made good ground down the left wing only to be denied by some last gasp cover tackling.

Just before half time saw a passionate plea from winger James Davis to show more passion, half-time saw Buzzards regroup and take on much needed fluids in the hot Hungarian sunshine, almost immediately after the break Buzzards hit back to reduce the deficit.

Wonderful running lines from centre Geoff Branwhite drew the Budapest Exiles defence in tight before breaking away and releasing a pass to send right winger James Davis under the posts unopposed for his second try of the tour. The relatively easy conversion attempt was missed by Davis, mistiming his kick completely to barely get the ball airborne.

Buzzards were performing well in the scrummage, with prop Mark "Chopper" Stallen using his Einstein-like knowledge of front-row play to disrupt the Exiles set play. Chopper showed no hesitation in using his physicality when the situation required. Mike Chappell was also performing well at hooker despite not being his regular position and scrum half James Ward left his mark on the pitch.

Eddie Payne continued his fine form in Hungary as he grabbed his second try of the match and his fourth of the tour. As the match progressed, the physicallity was raised with neither side wanting to give an inch as the game remained tight and both sides wanting to take control of the match into the final quarter.

In the closing stages the sides exchanged scores keeping the deficit the same, Jon Ilic got his reward for a superb performance as he rampaged down the pitch to go under the posts. Branwhite was back in the thick of the action as he grabbed a brace to take the game away from Exiles, looping passes from Eddie Payne found Branwhite, and his agile running left the defence with no answer and he crossed for two superb trys. This was the breakthrough Buzzards required and the home side were unable to respond.

With the final whistle, Buzzards achieved the feat of finishing their Hungarian tour unbeaten - both sides then decamped to the banks of the Danube to share a traditional Hungarian meal of Goulash with their hosts. The tours reprobates were then dealt with by the tour court and all misdemeanours were suitably punished in the best rugby traditions.

Another night in Budapest awaited the victors and despite being battle weary, made the most of the last of the Hungarian hospitality ensuring that no Forint went unspent and no bar went untested. The victorious Leighton Buzzard RFC returned to London Luton airport on Sunday night to a heroes welcome.