Villagers get lion's share of 9-try thriller

This week's mixture of unavailability and injuries gave the Datchworth a chance to select some of the emerging talent from the 2nd XV, of which all took the opportunity to step up.

With Tom Blackwell missing in the front row, Tom Bambra got the call up - in to hook - with Gudgin shifting to prop. Against a big and fit Teddington pack the new line-up fared well in the first scrum; earning a penalty which was duly slotted by Richard Mills.

Teddington were well versed in defending the fringes, and despite carries from Hugo Dawson and Nick Holland, Datchworth couldn't break through. Teddington themselves had a fair share of the early possession but the centre pairing of Nolan and Rice once again absorbed every attack, the dependable Dan Blackwell providing support at the breakdown.

Datchworth tried to break through in midfield with little joy, but just before the 20 minute mark Sam Brunton shipped the ball inside to number eight Morgan Smith, who set up a ruck from which Grant Roe - in at scrum half this week - sniped through. With one man to beat, he gave Nolan an easy ball to go in under the posts. Mills popped the conversion over for an early 10-0 lead.

Tom Bambra, who had been a pest in the majority of the breakdowns so far, was the recipient of a yellow card having given away Datchworth's fourth penalty in quick succession. This was deemed unlucky until the announcement that he'd also been the culprit for two of the previous three. With Teddington already in Datchworth's 22, they took advantage of the extra man and the forwards scored just wide of the posts. The Datchworth bench and coaching staff looked on from their shiny new technical area as the conversion closed the gap to 10-7.

Datchworth made a front row replacement at the next scrum; Hugo Dawson making way for the ageless Tom Gillham, Dawson returning once Bambra's time in the sin bin had finished, the latter being awarded the touch-judge's flag.

Teddington seemed to have worked out Datchworth's pattern and their next attack saw the ball spread wide, where Datchworth were short of numbers. The winger crossed the line in the corner and the visitors took a 10-12 lead.

Both sides then attempted to assert their authority but Teddington's defence looked slightly more effective tight around the breakdown. It wasn't until 2nd row Nick Holland, usually allergic to passing, made a sublime miss pass to create space for the greens on the left wing. The next phase was well marshalled by Roe and Dylan Rice found contact back infield. Quick ball from here was to Nolan who managed to get the offload away to Watt for the score. Mills converted and Datchworth were back in front; 17-12. Grant Roe managed to clash heads during the build up, so sporting a nice tooth sized hole in his head swapped with Matt Blackwell. Tom Bennett shifted to 9 and Mills to 15. Soon after Teddington knocked on around half way for the half time whistle.

Straight from the restart Datchworth stepped up the pace, and rumbled forwards. A rolling maul gained more and more momentum and Nick Gudgin went over, the try awarded after a quick assessment from the referee. Mills again added the extras and increased the lead to 24-12.

From the restart the Teddington 2nd row took a blow to the head and had to leave the field. This was unfortunate for the visitors as his powerful running onto crash balls had been very effective during the first half.

Minutes later Datchworth were approaching Teddington's 22 and Morgan Smith with ball in hand made good yards. Bennett peeled round the corner and Smith gave a well timed offload. Unopposed and in plenty of space Bennett ran in from 20 yards for the score. Mills struck the conversion from out wide and the put Datchworth further in front at 31-12.

Teddington were still well in the match, and were straight back into Datchworth territory. On the 5th or 6th phase following a burst through from the centre, an overlap looked to have set up for a certain try - but the pass was loose enough for James Watt to intercept. He couldn't quite take the ball cleanly so knocked it on - and saw a yellow card as a result. Teddington nudged the penalty into touch and pushed over for an easy score after the lineout. The conversion was short, but this was still going to be a tough contest at 31-17 with half an hour to go.

Teddington carried on with the momentum and Datchworth carried on giving away penalties. With solid Teddington possession being unnecessarily contested at the breakdown the visitors capitalised on the penalty count and camped in Datchworth's 22. Against the run of play Datchworth broke with a superb passage of play. Nick Holland took a crash ball with Bennett floating the next out to Gudgin, who snuffled it up the jumper as if it were a pork pie. Bennett himself nipped through the next gap before offloading to Mills. From the next breakdown Brunton found Nolan with a long miss-pass who tipped on to Matt Blackwell. As Nolan took the hit, Blackwell held the ball up well and the forwards were there in numbers. They bundled over the line - Tom Gillham with, believe it or not, his first senior try at the tender age of 45 (citation needed).

With the score 36-17, Matt Blackwell took a hit to the ribs from a high ball, Alex Mills replacing him on the wing.

Teddington were in attacking mood, and Datchworth looked to play off of this. Brunton sent an up-and-under to which Richard Mills was a close second - but he made the tackle and allowed Nolan to make the steal. The turnover ball was out quickly to Alex Mills who offloaded to a looping Bennett. Bennett's chip made it through but Teddington ground it in goal. Play is brought back for an offside penalty and Mills sends it over; 39-17 with 15 minutes to go.

Datchworth made a triple change for the closing exchanges - Bennett, Watt and Hollis were rolled in bubble wrap and Roe, Matt Blackwell and Greg Emms took their places. No rest for the wicked - Emms straight into a 5m defensive scrum from a Teddington attack.

With possession passing between the sides, the visiting scrum half saw yellow following a disagreement with the referee. Datchworth's scrum continued to bear fruit and another penalty was awarded but Mills was unable to convert from long distance. With 5 minutes to go, Mills hobbled off with a lively Tom Bennett only too keen to return to action. With the match drawing to a close, a cross field kick from Brunton bounced just over Alex Mills who had made himself plenty of space, but possession was retained. Teddington knock on and a penalty awarded from which Roe tapped and scored the try. Brunton attempted the kick, but didn't have the distance. Full time score 44-17 and progression to the next round.

For round two the villagers will travel to Stowmarket on 18th November - with work to be done on defence and some injuries to be treated it looks set to be another spectacle against opposition unbeaten in their league this term.