Old Merchant Taylors 19 – 13 Datchworth RFC

Datchworth went into their fifth match of the season buzzing from their previous four wins, though knowing that numbers were light with a number of players injured/unavailable – particularly in the back row. Two debuts were handed to Flanker Will Williams & No. 8 Morgan Smith, both proud products of Datchworth’s youth academy. OMTs’ started quickly, not allowing Datchworth to settle and soon found themselves 7-0 up. Datchworth in all fairness were defending the phases well through the middle, though OMTs’ sent the ball out wide, rounded Datchworth & were in under the posts, extras added. This kicked Datchworth into action and Scrum Half Tom Wood squeezed through the opposition defence to bring Datchworth level – having converted his own try. There was still time for one more try before the break – it went to the hosts. Some good open rugby from OMT’s saw the ball find itself to their Right Wing who cut in, evading two tackles in the process and when converted, the hosts went into the break with a 7 point lead.

Datchworth scored first after half time, a well-judged penalty from Tom Wood following a missed penalty from his opposite number. OMT’s then had a second penalty that hit the post and Wood slotted another to bring Datchworth within one point, 14-13. The ensuing 15 minutes saw both sides come close, notably Tom Bennett for Datchworth under the posts though the referee had blown his whistle for no advantage just before Bennett’s break. Then, with ten minutes to go, OMT’s were over controversially in the corner. Again good defending from Datchworth forced OMTs’ out wide and their Wing touched down. Whilst the grounding was not in doubt, many thought he’d stepped out in the process though it wasn’t given and OMTs’ took a six point lead. This was the final score of the game and Datchworth’s first defeat of the season. There were lots of positives to take from the game, notably two strong debuts from Smith & Williams, alongside a stellar second 1st team appearance from Hooker Joe Wing. Also, both Dom Wright & Matt Blackwell bringing strong performances from the bench.

This week is a rest week for the first team, with a home game a week on Saturday against a strong Grasshoppers outfit. Datchworth second team with an away game to Hackney.