Hemel Hempstead 34 - 15 Datchworth

Datchworth started fantastically, two tries up in ten minutes. The first saw wing James Watt go over after fantastic interplay between forwards and backs after just 3 minutes. Soon after, Hemel had a lineout on their own five metre line, Datchworth second row Nick Holland leapt like a salmon and stole the ball. It was quickly shipped down the line, finding its way to full back Tom Bennett who crashed over the line. Wood couldn't convert either. This seemed to kick Hemel into gear and they soon came back with tries of their own.

The first actually came from a Datchworth attack. A tap & go penalty was turned over by Hemel, the ball quickly found its way to their Left Wing who evaded three tackles to score under the posts, Hemel converted. In a game that Datchworth were initially dominating, this seemed to reverse fortunes and Hemel managed another two tries before half time to go in with a 19-10 lead. Their second was the same Winger sliding past two Datchworth men again to get over, the third was the forwards barrelling over from close quarters.

Hemel picked up where they left off in the second half, scoring their fourth try and securing the bonus point. It was a hat trick try for the Left Winger, again evasive running saw him bounce of three tackles and score a killer blow. The rest of the half saw three further tries, Datchworth scored theirs with good pace out wide from Wing James Watt. It was not to be however and meant Datchworth’s promotion hopes took a brutal blow. This week there isn’t a first team fixture, though a week Saturday see’s Datchworth take on high flying Belsize Park with a 2.15pm kick off.