Datchworth RFC 22 – 14 St Albans RFC

Datchworth bounced back from two recent defeats to keep themselves fifth going into the halfway point of the season. With a number of recent injuries – namely Stuart Young & John Simons, Datchworth mixed up their pack, bringing in Hooker Tom Bambra, Second Row Dan Blackwell and Flanker Kris Jones. St Albans started the brighter and scored first, a deft chip through from the ten was collected and they were in under the posts for a seven point lead. Datchworth came straight back, a barracking run from No 8. Jon Scarratt led Datchworth in to the opposition 22. Quick ball from the breakdown found its way to Wing James Watt who touched down for his seventh try of the season.

St Albans then scored shortly after. Started by a break on the left wing, a strong cover tackle from Centre Alex Nolan was in vain and St Albans went 14-5 up. Datchworth Prop Richard Hollis then saw yellow for an adjudged misdemeanour at the scrum. Nearing half time with 14 men, Wing Matt Blackwell caught a clearance from St Albans, danced his way through the opposition defence only to be halted just short of the line. With a clever offload to Fly-Half Richard Mills, Datchworth were in under the posts and the score at half time was 12-14.

The try after half time was always going to be crucial and it was the hosts that got it. The points came again from Watt after a sustained period of pressure from the hosts, 19-14. Datchworth then collected their second yellow of the match, replacement Flanker Billy Gatfield sent to the bin for cynical play. Still pressurizing their opposition, Datchworth though they’d scored their fourth, though it wasn’t to be. Flanker Marcus Potter thought he’d got the ball over with a peculiar salmon-like movement, though the referee said it was more of a quadruple movement, thus St Albans received a penalty. St Albans then had a period of pressure in the Datchworth half and Datchworth soon saw their third yellow of the game, Second Row Nick Holland sin-binned for a trip. Datchworth defended resolutely for another ten minutes and again didn’t concede, though St Albans did miss a simple penalty in front of the posts. With two minutes to go, Datchworth won a penalty 40 metres out. Fly Half Richard Mills slotted it like a younger, slightly more handsome Beauden Barrett and Datchworth ran out victors, 22-14.

Saturday sees Datchworth travel to Cheshunt, looking to do the double over their local rivals. 2pm kick off.