Having spared Hitchin the week previous with a low scoring victory (unrepresentative of their dominant performance on the pitch) Datchworth were fairly relaxed going into this weeks match against a London Wasps side fighting against relegation at the bottom of the league table. Datchworth were to suffer the first upset of the day however before the match had even started, losing number 8 and Vice Captain Matthew Francis to injury during the warm up.

Chris Marchant stepped in at number 8, and Datchworth stepped up to receive the Wasps kick off. From the first contact it was clear that Wasps were another physical side and their dog work around the tackle area threatened turnover at the breakdown from the outset. Wasps soon released one of their main offensive weapons, their outside centre, who used hard and direct angles of running to great effect. But the Datchworth defence held strong and Wasps progress down the pitch met strong resistance.

It was an organisational mistake in the Datchworth defence which let in the first score, the Wasps finding themselves with an overlap on the left wing and able to run a try into the corner from the Datchworth 10 metre line. The try was unconverted and Datchworth were quickly receiving the Wasps restart.

The visiting side kept on the pressure attacking around the fringes and in the midfield forcing Datchworth to mount a determined defence. With the Datchworth midfield holding strong Wasps changed tack with a probing kick over the top into the Datchworth 22… An unlucky bounce left the full back high and dry and a chasing Wasps winger was quick to gather the ball and run the remaining distance to the Datchworth try line, scoring their second try. The conversion made the score 12 – 0 to the visitors.

Datchworth responded with some good counter play and some wide ball from a quick penalty soon found the home side advancing up the left wing. From just inside the Wasps half the Datchworth scrum half and winger nearly linked a piece of champagne rugby as a precision box kick released Datchworth skipper James Watt up the touch line… but the ball was fumbled under pressure and Datchworth ended the half without scoring.

Datchworth were in familiar territory – kicking off the second half having lost the first 40 minutes and knowing that they would have to step up and play some rugby to stand a chance of turning this game around. First to step up was the Datchworth pack who began dominating the scrummage with gusto. With the scrum wheeling and turning under the force of the mighty Datchworth pack, the home side began turning the screw on other areas of the game.

Joe Liversidge came on in the second row for Datchworth and smashing the first ruck he encountered like a bulldozer he set the tone for the up front battle. The Datch forwards were soon carrying the ball with the control and power displayed in previous weeks with superb ball carrying from Mike Skinner and John Scarratt making the yards. This was complimented with the text book pick and go phase play executed as usual with sheer class from Biggun and co… The home side were soon rewarded after a prolonged onslaught in the bottom right corner saw Skinner go over the line for his first try of the day.

Keeping the pressure on, the Datchworth pack fought hard to provide quick ball to the scrum half. The backs, who have been somewhat ball deprived in recent weeks, used the ball well, testing the Wasps defence with good strike running in the midfield. Datchworth were soon awarded a scrum in the Wasps 22 and with a big nudge from the Datchworth pack, Wasps were on the back foot. The Datchworth scrum half picked from the base of the scrum before executing a show and go to break the Wasps line. A quick scamper put the number 9 through a couple of players and over the line for Datchworth try number 2, converted by fly half Tom Wood.

With the Datchworth side gaining momentum, Wasps were under pressure for long periods and inevitably Datchworth were rewarded with several penalties, two of which were slotted by Tom Wood to take the points. A late penalty was directed neatly into touch in the Wasps 22 by the Datchworth fly half. Using this as an offensive platform the Datchworth pack pressed forward with strong close quarters play. Then from 10 metres out Michael Skinner put his head down and like a charging buffalo bounced through several opposition players to find his way to the line for his second try of the day, capping off a boom performance from the hooker. Tom Wood converted to bring his match total to 10 points.

A great second half performance from Datchworth secured the 25 – 12 victory, and Datchworth returned to their recent comeback form. One wonders how thoroughly they would destroy their opposition were they to play a full 80 minutes of Datchworth rugby…