Stevenage RFC – 22 – 25 Datchworth RFC

Datchworth came away with the spoils in an eight try thriller on Saturday. Local derbies between Stevenage and Datchworth are always tightly contested and the weekend’s match was no different. Stevenage having only lost one match all season, raced into a 17 point lead within 15 minutes leaving Datchworth shell shocked. Stevenage centre Ian Crompton scored the first try, a well worked backs move and followed up with his & Stevenage’s second. Pouncing on a loose ball from Datchworth’s backline, Crompton broke away with devastating pace and was in under the posts from 60 metres out. A third followed with centre partner Heiko van Zwieten breaking through and Datchworth were left in disarray, 17-0 down.

In seasons gone by, this might have led to a capitulation for Datchworth though lead well by stand in skipper James Watt (in absence of the injured Nick Gudgin), they started to turn things around. Five metres out at the breakdown, scrum half Tom Wood sniped through the guard area and Datchworth were on the board. Soon after, Watt broke from the back of a scrum and was over, Datchworth went into half time just seven points down. There was still time before the half for the Stevenage winger to be sin-binned for a professional foul.

Whoever got the first try after half time was always going to be in a favoured position and it was Datchworth that got it from a driving lineout after about 50 minutes. Number 8 Stuart Young getting the ball down though an all-round team effort, this seemed to reinvigorate Stevenage. Led by their lively scrum-half, they broke well from their own 22 and won a penalty. Taking it quickly, Datchworth second row John Simons cynically tried to slow play down and saw yellow. Datchworth weathered the storm and soon managed to take the lead in the game. Winning a penalty 30 metres out wide on the right hand side, Wood kicked well for Datchworth to go up 20-17. Stevenage soon took the lead back, Crompton securing his hat trick as he busted through James Watt. With two minutes to go, Datchworth were giving it their all and full back Nick Moore blazed up the field. When tackled, centre Alex Nolan took the ball on and barraged up to the Stevenage line. Held up with two metres to go, full back Moore was on hand again to support and Datchworth were over for their bonus point try. Despite a last ditch effort from Stevenage, Datchworth held on and made it six wins on the spin against their local rivals.

With a rest week this week, Saturday the 19th sees Datchworth host high flyers Hemel Hempstead, a 2.30pm kick off.