Datchworth U14's come up short against Hertford A's

As the fixture list was constructed for this season, and having been promoted from pool E to D, the coaching team agreed we would look for friendly fixtures that would test the team. So that is how we found ourselves on Sunday lining up against the best that Hertford, a pool C team, had to offer. In the words of the Hertford Head Coach they wanted to field their strongest squad to respect the quality fixture we asked for.
At that point I knew it was going to be a tough game!

5 minutes in, constant possession and territory for Hertford A but we bundle their winger in to touch to win the lineout.
From there I remember 4 things;
1. Line out ball thrown quickly and cleanly by Tom B to the back of the line out.
2. Quick distribution and hands moves the ball right.
3. Then a change of direction back to the left into Connor B's hands receiving the ball inside our 22 still.
4. Pace, power and 5 defenders beaten as all we see is Connor disappearing under their posts to score.

It really is a simple game sometimes, with a lovely conversion to follow from Danny.

For the rest of the first half Hertford gradually imposed themselves on us, especially in the scrum. An injury to Josh B meant a pack reshuffle was required and so the Head Coach sent on clear instructions to revise the pack......which made the scrum a complete mess. Thankfully we have a forward pack that possess brains as well as brawn who then changed positions again and lo' and behold the scrum stabilised. Well done the pack!

Hertford's pressure began to tell and they took two well executed tries before half time to take a 14-7 lead.

For the second half Josh B bravely retook the pitch but we had lost Freddie after a superb and brave tackle almost detached his arm from the rest of him. Our subs were working well with everyone prepared to play where asked and no complaints when taken off. Hertford with a few more subs than us upped their game and again scored a quick brace after half time to stretch into the distance at 26-7.

This is where I worried that against opposition stronger than we have previously played the pressure and physicality would tell against us. Our boys in Green were having none of that though and back they came.

With the scrum more stabilised and committing more bodies to the ruck, credit to Callum for spotting this was needed, Thomas Payne got the platform he needed to distribute quicker. Yet again Connor B found himself in space after lovely hands through the centres. With only 4 players to outpace this time he was away and under the posts. This was followed by another slick team move, with good hands from forwards and backs resulting in Danny taking an arcing run round the Hertford defenders. Connor A played his part by holding the wing and keeping the last defender interested enough for Danny to ghost through and score in the corner.

Hertford had managed to sneak one more try between our two and with most players blowing hard the ref called time with the score at 31-19.

So with heads held high we shook hands with Hertford who knew they had been given a good game. The now traditional team huddle, squeeze and a strident DATCHWORTH echoed across Hertford's fields and showed that team spirit was strong.

Post game we regrouped for food and a drink and the table rattling drum roll that preceded Danny's choice of Spencer for man of the match let the wider Hertford community know we were still there.

Credit to all players today and also a note that there are areas we can and will improve on.

Matt.