Datchworth RFC 23 – 25 Hemel Hempstead RFC

In a topsy-turvy game at Datchworth Saturday, Hemel went eight wins from nine in a game that could have easily gone either way. Cheered on by a boisterous crowd, it was the hosts that started the quicker, Sam McBroom & Stuart Young making good inroads into the Hemel 22. With pressure building and Datchworth looking likely to score, a loose ball was picked up by Hemel and they broke all the way down the pitch to score the opening try. Hemel’s second row showing devastating pace to score almost under the posts, though unfortunately for the visitors no extras were added. Datchworth then went straight back to Hemel and forced them to give away a penalty. Scrum-half Tom Wood coolly converted to make it 3-5. Soon after, fly-half Tom Bennett pounced on a loose ball and looked to be clean through, only to be tugged back for a penalty. Again, Wood slotted over and Datchworth took the lead.

The pressure was starting to mount on Hemel and they went down to 14 men. Their fly-half in at the side at ruck-time, the yellow card a result of continuous penalties. Datchworth took full advantage, again Young making good inroads into Hemel’s defence and quick ball down the back line found its way to Wing Dom Wright who was over in the corner. Wood added the extras and Datchworth went 13-5 up. Hemel then showed why they’re flying so high and hit back immediately. A break left them four on one and the Winger finished well in the corner to bring the score to 13-12 – Datchworth 1 point up going into the break.

The second half kept up with the first in terms of commitment, physicality and desire from both sides, both looking for the crucial first score of the second half and it was Hemel that got it. Marching their way up field, Hemel secured a scrum in front of the posts and from the following move scored out wide again for their third try of the game, 13-17. Tom Woody then missed a penalty with both teams looking equally of capable of scoring - it was then Datchworth’s turn to score. A good line-out move saw Datchworth within fifteen metres and a series of pick & go’s saw them within three metres of the line. Second-row Nick Holland then picked and went and with monumental strength and precision, slipped through for Datchworth’s third, Wood converted and Datchworth went 20-17 up. Hemel then retook the lead with their fourth try of the game though couldn’t convert and retook the lead, 20-22.

The lead then changed hands for an incredible sixth time. Centre Sam Brunton collected a loose pass from Wood and slotted a drop goal to make it 23-22, Hemel had five minutes to get on the scoreboard. Two minutes to go and Hemel were applying immense pressure to Datchworth, they then won a scrum which was to be the last play of the game. Datchworth defended the following four phases well, though on phase five were adjudged to have been offside in the centres. All was in the balance with the final play of the game – a penalty in front of the posts for Hemel. Unfortunately for the hosts, Hemel slotted with ease and with the seventh change of the lead, secured a bonus point victory and left Datchworth with a losing-bonus point.

Heads can be held high after an impressive Datchworth performance in which all players really stood up and gave everything. Saturday sees Datchworth travel to Finchley to get back on track, a 2.15pm kick off.