HI Andy
I use Hitec gear and had a laser 4 at one time. Found it reliable and trouble free.
I apologize if I am teaching you to suck eggs but here goes.
Are the transmitter and receiver both Hitec?
Is the receiver 4 channel also?
Have you tried all the servos with the receiver? As you can get the speed controller to work I assume you are connecting the leads the correct way? The black wire normally goes towards the edge of the case.
If you have other radio gear can you test a servo with another set or possibly you have a servo tester.
You mention two batteries, if the speed controller has BEC you do not need a separate battery whilst using the speed controller.
Providing you know you have a working servo try it in each channel on the receiver. I would start with the one that works the speed controller. Providing it works you can, by changing plugs, identify which tranny stick relates to which plug on the receiver.
If you have more channels than 4 on the receiver you may find some do not work, often one or two sticks control more than one channel on the receiver.
Hope this helps.
Dave