Datchworth 38-7 Old Actonians

Traditionally the post Christmas match has never been good for Datchworth, though they put that myth to rest by winning for the second time against Old ACtonians. Captain & Scrum Half Tom Wood led from the front and had a flawless day with the boot, knocking over 5 conversions and 1 drop goal.

Datchworth started quickly and were up after five minutes. Pressuring their opponents 22, Flanker Stuart Young managed to find space in the line, nipped through and under the posts. The men in green soon followed up with their second. No 8. Henry Man-Mountain broke from the scrum and barraged into the Actonians half. They were then adjudged to have handled at the breakdown and Datchworth kicked to the corner. About 20 metres out, they started a driving maul – which was then scored by Prop Sam McBroom. However in the midst of the try, the referee blew for a penalty, took away McBroom’s try and awarded the penalty try. Not to be deterred, Actonians managed to get themselves back in the game. The 10 broke through the Datchworth line, centre Matt Winters made a fine cover tackle though the 10 offloaded and the 9 was in. Wood added a penalty before half time, 17-7.

Again, Datchworth came out quickly. This time it was Scrum-Half Wood who sniped through the opposition defence to secure Datchworth’s third and it was then followed up with the bonus point try from Wing James Watt. A well worked backs move put Watt in lots of space, all he had to do was evade one tackle and he was in. There was still time for a fifth. Aggressive running from John Simons led to another penalty that Datchworth kicked for touch. From the lineout, Henry Man-Mountain gathered and bundled over the line. There was still time for a cameo from debutant Wing Tim Tuck.

Next week see’s Datchworth host league leaders London Nigerians, who’ve only lost one game all season – to Datchworth. Kick off is 2pm.