Datchworth 10 – 15 Norwich

A valiant effort against the high flying Norwich was not enough as Datchworth lost out in the Senior Vase Cup. Datchworth bounced back from conceding an early penalty to score underneath the posts. Strong phase work from the forwards saw the ball released to the backs who then made good yardage. A second barrage of forwards smashing the ball up eventually left space for captain Matthew Francis to burst through the Norwich defence and stopped just before the try line, offloaded beautifully for second row Mark Holgate to bundle over. Norwich came straight back with their tails up, and through an individual error in the Datchworth defence, managed to run a try in under the posts unhindered, Datchworth 7 – 10 Norwich.

Norwich followed up with a second well worked try. Eventually working the ball wide after several strong attacking phases, the visitor’s winger gassed the Datchworth defence to dive over in the corner. Norwich defended resolutely in the second half allowing for Datchworth to score 3 points, but no more. Despite a barrage on the Norwich line and no time at all spent in their own 22, Datchworth could not find a way through their impressive defence. The Greens can hold their heads high after this valiant effort and look forward to an important home encounter against Harringey on Saturday.