Finchley 35 -v- 12 Datchworth

With the weather set to fine both sides looked to promise a good game for the neutral; Datchworth in their green and blue had selected a back line favouring width pace and width, with Finchley looking to counter that with a sizeable pack and tactical kicking.

Initially the visitors struggled to settle, be it in set pieces or loose play, but Finchley themselves showed some early nerves and failed to capitalise on Datchworth's mistakes.

The front row battle was eagerly anticipated by all onlookers, and after 10 minutes Datchworth had started to dominate up front with Nick Gudgin proving more than a match for the home side's Goliath who had cleverly disguised himself as a loose head prop.

Early on, Finchley handed the boys in green successive penalties which were duly dispatched deep into the home side's territory by Tom Wood. Unfortunately Datchworth's line-out was not firing and the league leaders came away empty handed.

After a period of possession with the forwards using driving mauls with some success, Datchworth found themselves back in the home side's 22. An unfortunate knock gave Finchley a scrum out wide which was successfully won against the head. A telegraphed pick and go from number 8 Henry Mountain set up another two phases on the left wing before Jamie Nutting took a crash ball for the first points of the day. Skipper Wood converted for a deserved 7-0 lead.

Straight from the kick off Finchley had moved up a gear and soon regained possession before they started to make yards, utilising the pace of their full back. A fantastic kick from the fly half put Finchley deep into Datchworth territory, following their first real attack of the afternoon. A simple line out and clearance kick was chased down well by Craig Rowlinson but Finchley managed to recycle. The resulting up and under, again from the clever #10, bounced awkwardly for the Datchworth defence - allowing the kicker himself to streak past and collect to run in unopposed for the try.

By this point Finchley had established themselves as the dominant side in the loose and began to string together some attacks, mainly using their forwards to creep forward. Datchworth's discipline in defence held them in good stead and they were able to turn over each attack; strong carries from Sam McBroom and Mountain began to turn the tide, with Finchley continuing to counter with clever kicks into space.

Finchley had a further passage of play in which they camped in Datchworth's 22 but again a Datchworth defence led by consistent tackling from Nick Holland and Stu Young ensured they came away with nothing but 3 points from a well-struck penalty, although with that came the lead at 8-7.

Datchworth hit straight back in their first orchestrated attack of the game with Alex Nolan finding space, but the resolute Finchley full back was able to spoil ready for the half time whistle.

The visitors made one change at half time, with James Watt adding pace to back line in place of Dom Wright.

Finchley themselves started the 2nd half the more aggressive with many a crash ball resulting in some good yards. Space was soon created, seemingly from nowhere, and a second row cantered in for their second try of the day. The kick sailed over to put Datchworth well behind at 15-7.

The try looked to have hit Datchworth and they finally found some momentum - James Watt instantly making an impact as he linked well with Tom Bennett with an inside ball - leaving Datchworth's forwards to claw some valuable yards towards the line. After five calm phases, Watt again made a darting run but was held up. His offload to Matt Winters was perfectly timed and the outside centre powered through the last tackle to score. No kick on this one however, so the score sat at 15-12.

Sam Brunton entered the fray and moved to full back, replacing winger Rowlinson who had given a good account for himself all afternoon.
A penalty kick from Brunton into touch resulted in the "line out of the day" - an off the top from Stu Young at the back set up some beautiful running rugby before an injury to Nick Gudgin halted proceedings.

Dom Wright soon found himself back on the park in the back row, with Mountain stepping up to try and replace Gudgin's appetite (for scrummaging, not post-match). Finchley continued to use their back line to gain yards, with an attack out to the right wing. Handing over the work to their sturdy pack, they carried for 11 phases before crossing the line again; 20-12.

Datchworth just needed to find some impotus and the 8 point deficit would be a formality, and with hard work from Blackwell, Young and McBroom they were starting to get themselves back into the game - helped by Finchley's sudden lack of discipline. A 5m line out was turned over by Finchley and soon after they were right back in Datchworth's 22. A break from the scrum half was dealt with poorly and he ran in untouched for Finchley's 4th. He added the conversion for 27-12.

The home side earned themselves a further three points in front of the posts, before they took advantage of Datchworth's all-out-attack to score another try out wide. The final whistle soon sounded and the match had finished; Finchley 35 - 12 Datchworth.

With no match next week Datchworth will be working hard for the visit of Stevenage Town on October 24th; a must-win if they are to mount a serious challenge to earn top-spot in London 3 NW.

Datchworth: 15. Richardson, 14. Rowlinson, 13. Winters, 12. Nolan, 11. Wright, 10. Bennett, 9. Wood (capt); 1. McBroom, 2. Blackwell, 3. Gudgin, 4. Nutting, 5. Holland, 6. Jones, 7. Young, 8. Mountain. Replacements: Potter, Brunton, Watt

Match Report written by Will 'The Quill' Nash