Leighton Buzzard Rugby Club flew east last week to the historical city of Budapest in Hungary for a special two-match tour – and they won them both.

The banks of the River Danube proved a happy hunting ground for Buzzards who overcame two of the strongest rugby sides in Hungary, beating Gödölloi Ördögök and Budapest Exiles to return home unbeaten.

Buzzards departed from Luton Airport in the early hours of Friday morning, and they weren't wasting any time, with their first match scheduled for that afternoon.

They touched down at Feringhey Airport, where the team bus was waiting to whisk them through the Hungarian countryside to Gödölloi University where they would face their first opponents.

The match had been promoted locally and a large crowd awaited when Buzzards arrived at the club's ground that had been specially prepared for their visit.

Gödölloi women's team played a curtain raiser before the afternoon's main event – and it was certainly entertaining as the tourists ran out 72-28 winners.

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 in a brand new playing strip that bore a striking resemblance to that of the England national team!

By kick-off the temperature had reached 28ºC – presenting a test in itself for the side. Buzzards suffered a blow early on when hooker Andy Jenkins was forced from the field of play after less than 90 seconds with a dead leg that would keep him out of the remainder of the tour.

Gödölloi included seven Hungarian internationals in their ranks. Luke Ilic grabbed two tries during the first half as he made light work of the defence both times in a masterclass of attractive rugby.

Elliott Swann crashed over for another try midway through the half to cap a good individual performance and moments later Alessandro Parias added another.

Tricky scrum-half James Ward carried on the fine form that has seen him earn his place in the first team this season with a wonderful score, his evasive running taking him over the try line with ease.

Gary Denning was next to score and Will Henderson scored a wonderful second half hat-trick, less than a week after completing the London Marathon.

He made light work of the tiring defence to scorch through midfield and under the posts. And his third of the afternoon was arguably his best as he went the long way round before beating the Gödölloi fullback. He even nailed a drop goal conversion from the touchline.

Geoff Branwhite was also in excellent form grabbing a couple of scores. Eddie Payne also 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. But the best try of the afternoon went to the hosts, the Gödölloi captain making a superb break followed by a chip over the one remaining defender before collecting to score.

The team had a rest from action on the Saturday, with some of the squad travelling north to Esztergom on the Slovakian border to watch the Hungarian national side take on Norway in a friendly match.

And Buzzards' next game against Budapest Exiles was a much closer affair, with the visiting side eventually running out 28-36 winners.

Gödölloi are a developing young side made up of players from the local town and university. However, Exiles are an established force and draw on a large population living in Budapest to form the nucleus of a successful side.

Payne's pulsating running got Buzzards going, leaving defenders in his wake as he shot over from 10 yards. But the home side hit back in spectacular fashion with two rampaging tries to put them in the lead.

Behind for the first time on the tour, the Buzzards looked to fire a response, and they got it when right winger James Davis went over under the posts unopposed. Payne continued his good fine form as he grabbed his second try of the match and a fourth of the tour.

As the match progressed into the closing stages neither side wanted to give an inch as the game remained tight and both sides looked to finish strongly.

In the final moments the sides exchanged scores keeping the deficit the same. Ilic got his reward for a superb performance as he rampaged down the pitch to go under the posts, and Branwhite grabbed a brace to take the game away from Exiles.

With the final whistle, Buzzards achieved the feat of finishing their Hungarian tour unbeaten, and both sides then decamped to the banks of the Danube to share a traditional Hungarian meal of goulash.

The victors then enjoyed another night back in the Hungarian capital before flying home in the morning.