Datchworth 5 – 17 Hemel Hempstead

A cold, hail filled afternoon in Datchworth saw Hemel run out deserved victors in Saturday’s Hertfordshire derby game. Datchworth will be kicking themselves for a slow start that effectively cost them the match. Several front-row down, Hemel were dominating at scrum time and they made this pressure tell as early as the tenth minute. Having given away several penalties in a row, Datchworth found themselves defending on their own try line. Hemel opted for the scrum and blazed over the line, the extras weren’t added. Soon after Hemel doubled their lead, fine back play saw them dive over in the corner – again no extras added. Datchworth managed to pick themselves up after and saw the game through to half time.

Datchworth made one change at the half, a reshuffle of the pack saw second row Billy Gatfield replace full back Grant Roe (11th hamstring injury of his season), Max Stannard moved to the backline. Datchworth started brightly, applying pressure to a resolute Hemel defence. Despite 15 minutes of pressure, Hemel managed to score a third try. A quick break found the ball in the hands of their number 11, who had no problem dancing around three Datchworth defenders to score, this time Hemel converted. Datchworth scored a consolation try, Marcus Potter bundling over the line after Wing James Watt had just came up short, the win wasn’t to be though and leaves Datchworth in fifth place.

Their next game is away to high flying Belsize Park, 3pm kick off on Saturday 19th March.