Datchwoth U14’s win away at Cheshunt

Datch travelled down to enjoy Cheshunt’s new clubhouse and hospitality on a bright but cold day, and it was to be the first of the season’s muddy matches after a downfall the night before. While this may have been expected to hamper some of the fast flowing moves we have become accustomed to of late, as it turned out it didn’t seem to make much of a difference, although the strong swirling wind played havoc with some of the kicking game. Before the match got underway, both Cheshunt and Datchworth boys impeccably observed a 2-minute Remembrance Day silence.

Within the first minute of the game, we were on the scoreboard through some lovely link play between the backs, ending with Will F going into contact keeping his arms free and the ball alive by popping it over the tackler's head to Connor B, who made one of his trademark runs down the left wing through several defenders to pop the ball down under the posts. With an assured conversion from Danny forcing us to get a replacement ball, we were 0-7 up within 90 seconds. After 10 minutes of Cheshunt pressure, Josh S scored after a passage of play that started from a strong rip and steal from Sam in the tackle. Soon after, Connor B got his second after some great interplay and passing through the backs once again, which Danny duly converted. Just before the end of the half, after some great work by the forwards trucking the ball up the pitch through several ruck phases, Matt saw his opportunity to pick and go from the back of the ruck 5m out, and popped it down for a real forward’s try. That wind caused Danny some trouble again with the kick, but we went into the break 0-24 to the good.

The second half started the same as the first, this time with Danny touching down under the posts after some deft passes between forwards and backs. Spencer took up the kicking duties for a change and slotted the extra points nicely. For the next 15 minutes though, Cheshunt turned up the pressure and their forwards started to work much better in the scrums and rucks. Their pressure was rewarded with a converted try after several phases through their forwards moving up the pitch. Within another few minutes though, we were back on the scoresheet following a lovely long pass from Will F to Connor B who hared in under the posts for his hat trick. After a timeout for a Cheshunt injury in the far corner, we started once again, and Cheshunt pulled one back with a converted try. By my watch, even with the stoppage included we were now well into overtime, but it enabled Connor B to benefit once again for his fourth try of the morning which Danny once again converted sweetly. Another Cheshunt try after 29 minutes saw the game end once they missed their conversion, and the scoreline ended 19-43 and a good "W" for the Visitors in Green!

For his excellent non-stop work around the park, Captain Danny awarded Sam with the well deserved Man of the Match accolade, but by his own admission it was a tough decision with strong performances from many of the lads putting several up for contention.