Grasshoppers 14 – 26 Datchworth

Datchworth travelled to Grasshoppers knowing a tough game lay ahead. With the same team starting that faced Stevenage two weeks ago, they began well. In wet conditions, ball in hand carrying was good and was backed up by a stellar set piece. The backs used the wind to their advantage, kicking well. It only took ten minutes for the men in green to get on the scoresheet, a fantastic break from Flanker Stuart Young saw him go two on one with the opposition full back. Drawing in his opposite man, Young offloaded casually to wing James Watt who touched down over the line. Scrum Half Tom Wood couldn’t add the extras.

Datchworth quickly followed it up with a second. Slick handling by the front row in midfield creating the space out wide for an easy run in, Henry Mountain literally just had to fall to the floor to secure the try. This time Wood converted. With three minutes to go before half time, Datchworth secured their third try of the half. Relentless scrum pressure on the Grasshoppers five saw several penalties given away from the home side. Eventually the referee went with the penalty try after Grasshoppers collapsed a third scrum in a row. Datchworth went in at half time 19-0 up.

Unsurprisingly, Grasshoppers came bouncing out of their blocks in the second half and scored first. Using the wind to their advantage they made good ground. From an ensuing ruck, they turned Datchworth over shipped the ball out wide and scored for their first try of the game, extras added. There was then a 20 minute period with both teams coming close on several occasions, a period that also saw Matt Winters, Datchworth Centre absolutely annihilate his opposite man in the tackle & Tom Bennett, Datchworth Full Back substituted as he’s still lacking 80 minute fitness. Then, with 10 minutes to go, Datchworth had a scrum on the half way – putting the pressure on the on, Scrum Half Wood picked up & went blind. He managed to run 50 metres, evading 3 tackles to secure the bonus point try.

Grasshoppers had time to add one more of their own though it wasn’t to be & Datchworth secured the 5 point victory. An impressive all round team performance moving them to third in the league. This Saturday Datchworth play second placed Hackney at home, determined to move in to the promotion places. 2.30pm kick off.