Basildon 19 – 19 Datchworth

In their last game before the season proper, Datchworth went to Basildon, a team in the league in the league above, and did themselves justice securing a creditable draw. The visitors came out of the blocks flying, taking the lead with an early try from wing Craig Rowlinson. Some excellent handling & offloading across the backline saw the ball find its way in to Rowlinson’s hands, and with only 2 defenders to beat, sidestepped them both to dive over in the corner. Scrum half Tom Wood could not convert. Basildon hit back with a try of their own, their dominant scrum piling pressure on Datchworth’s – they scored after winning three penalties in a row at scrum time and finally getting the ball over the line. They then followed up with a fantastically executed backs move which saw them go into the break 12-5 up.

Datchworth though to their credit hit back immediately after half time. Dan Blackwell chopped down the Basildon No 8. In full flow and prop Sam McBroom was there to secure the turnover. From there Datchworth marched down the pitch, and secured a lineout on the five. Second row Nick Holland, who’d been dominating the line out secured the ball and from the resulting driving mall, Datchworth were back level with their second try.

There was still one more try to be had each. Basildon scored a break away try against the run of play, their fly half running in under the posts. Datchworth’s final try came from centre Alex Nolan, dancing through three tackles to score under the posts. A game played in good spirits, a draw was a fair result.

Saturday see’s Datchworth’s first league game of the season, at home against local rivals Hitchin – 3pm kick off.