Datchworth RFC 1XV 27 v 12 Hemel Hempstead RFC - 10/09/22

Datchworth’s league campaign got off to a successful start by overcoming a powerful Hemel outfit. However, the day started with a respectful and well-observed 2 minutes silence for Her Majesty, the Queen.

Datchworth put on a fine display of attacking rugby coupled with a strong defensive effort against a big Powerful Hemel side. Datchworth scored four tries in a bonus point win which owed much to the pre-season efforts of the entire squad.

Datchworth got off to a great start playing up the slope into the sun with strong defence and some clever attack the first score coming through the excellent Ollie Barnes after Datchworth went to the corner following a penalty, the effective lineout which was a feature of the whole game led to Barnes getting the greens into an early lead.

The half continued well and Datchworth maintained ongoing pressure in the opposition 22 despite the slope with George Little gaining good positions from penalties until Datchworth were awarded a penalty nearer to the posts and Wilson slotted over to make it 8-0 to Datch. Datch were holding their own and maintaining the territorial advantage until the end of the half, but Hemel applied some pressure and after a string of penalties which got them down the field and then a scrum close to the Datchworth line led to a converted try to make it 8-7 at half time.

Into the second half Hemel applied the pressure they had started to build at the end of the first half until the game turned when Geoff Clapp, starting at Fly-half for the first time, raced out of the defensive line and made a great tackle well behind the gain line, the impressive Wilson regained the ball and raced clear to score under the posts, then converting his own try to make the score 15-7 to Datch.

As the half progressed the greens were defending strongly, making their tackles. The new midfield partnership of Barnes and Mark Livesey didn’t allow a single line break all day supported by the abrasive Clapp the Hemel backs struggled to make any impression. Whilst the forwards worked hard to nullify the bigger pack, led by the ever-impressive skipper Stuart Young who was awarded the Hemel man of the Match award.

And it was the captain who, when Datch won another lineout off the top, was found by George little, crashed up the middle to score under the posts. Wilson duly converted to make it 22-7 to Datch. The game was sealed when Datch used the slope and boot to gain field position with a strong chase Hemel conceded a penalty which the ever-youthful James Watt took quickly to sneak over the line.
It was Hemel who scored last working hard up the slope with some good interplay which Datchworth were unable to stop.

However, this did not detract from a good performance which was hard earned. Datchworth face Chiswick at home next week in round 2.