Welwyn RFC 44 - 10 Datchworth RFC

You might as well take away the score line as this really bears very little significance to the importance of a game played against a well prepared (and well numbered!) Welwyn side.

This preseason friendly was always intended to be a game which allowed Datchworth's new coaching staff to play a real mixture of players ranging in ability, age and experience. From newly released colts through to well-versed 3's players this game was always going to feel slightly disjointed as there were never more than 6 or 7 players who regularly play together on the pitch at any one time.

This game was about allowing players to find that feet, experience 'contact' after a deserved summer off and demonstrate what they have to bring to the pitch. On the other side of things it allowed newly appointed coaches Ian Reid and Mike Wernham to see firsthand what players they had, what level they were at, what still needs to be worked on and how far the players have progressed since their summer training commenced back in July.

Welwyn had brought to the field pretty much two full sides which rotated half way through the game, whilst Datch were only able to bring on a handful of subs due to summer holidays and injuries, which meant the encounter was always going to be a draining one. This however did not stop the boys in green from approaching the game with endeavour and aggression which ultimately resulted in the away side winning the first quarter 0-3 and remaining resolute in defence.

As time went on however the home side worked their way back in very well, scoring two tries in the second quarter with which the villagers were not able to respond. Welwyn went from strength to strength as they were starting to string together patterns, staying on their feet and realising where Datchworth were tiring.

The third quarter saw Welwyn really push ahead but still this didn't deter the young (and old!) Datchworth players as they refused to lay down - an act of endurance which actually saw them win the final quarter.

As a bystander watching the game on Saturday I was thoroughly impressed but at the same time SLIGHTLY disappointed. I was impressed with the fact that the villagers never gave up. Impressed that they pushed themselves to win the last quarter against a team in a league above who were obviously very well drilled and prepared. Impressed with their positioning and attitude...but ultimately unimpressed with the fact that when the villagers got in the correct positions they were unable to capitalise by choosing not to counter ruck at 50-50 situations and tackling far too high, far too often.

Asked for a comment after the 90 minutes of rugby (no, that's not a typo - four playing quarters of 2x 20mins and 2x 25mins) Datchworth's new coach said... "Obviously there are small things to work on which I’m sure the players are already aware of but this game was really important for the boys to get under their belt. We were playing some guys in unfamiliar positions and a lot of what I saw thoroughly impressed me. They should be very pleased with themselves and looking forward to training on Tuesday.”

When pushed for a negative Reid let slip that front row forward Sam Mcbroom was caught with a cheap pasty just minutes before kick off... “Yes, THESE types of incidents have to be ironed out but any kind of disciplinary action will remain within the club.”

Make no mistake, for every negative there were 14 positives. This was a game Datchworth RFC needed and a game which has probably taught them more in 90mins than the summer training had in its entirety.

All-in-all this much needed warm up game has encouraged Reid, along with the rest of Datchworth's supporters and has installed a sense of optimism within the club as we head towards a tough and long season ahead.