Datchworth RFC 15 – 5 Cheshunt RFC

Having lost three weeks ago to Cheshunt in the Hertfordshire County Cup (and lose their title in doing so), Datchworth were determined to make amends and that they did Saturday afternoon. Cheshunt, promoted last year, started with great intensity and were putting the hosts under a lot of pressure. Acute running lines from the visitors’ back row around the breakdown were causing Datchworth problems – though some resolute defending kept Cheshunt at bay. After 15 minutes, it was Datchworth that made the first breakthrough. With the ball in their own half, Prop & Captain Nick Gudgin executed an exquisite grubber kick, finding touch to force Cheshunt in to their own 22. Datchworth stole the ball from the subsequent lineout and Wing James Watt broke the Cheshunt line. Though Watt couldn’t quite make it to the line himself, Flanker John Scarratt was on hand to support and in doing so, scored under the posts. Fly Half Tom Wood converted and Datchworth went 7-0 up. The next fifteen minutes saw both Fly Halves exchange missed penalties before Cheshunt found themselves in the Datchworth 22. Putting Datchworth under pressure, home Flanker Lewis Jones saw yellow for hands at the breakdown. Cheshunt opted for the scrum from the ensuing penalty & though it didn’t move, the ball found its way to the backs who got over the whitewash and put Cheshunt on the board before half time.

The second half saw Datchworth with more of the ball, though it wasn’t until 60th minute that they made it count after a number of missed opportunities. Following a second missed penalty from Wood, Datchworth made a good break that saw James Watt over in the corner, the extras couldn’t be added. With Datchworth 12-5 up, they were determined to get the extra score to put the game out of reach for Cheshunt & stop them scoring a vital bonus point. Defending on their own line, Full Back Richard Mills managed to turn the ball over for Datchworth and released James Watt who darted 70 metres up the field. Unfortunately Watt didn’t quite have the gas to make it and was turned over on the Cheshunt line. Mills then tackled the Cheshunt player and Prop Sam McBroom was on hand to steal the ball. The Cheshunt player wouldn’t release, thus Datchworth won a penalty to put the game out of sight.

Datchworth travel to Staines on Saturday determined to keep their winning streak up in the league. Staines have had two tight losses so far thus the game promises to be a tight affair.