Datchworth RFC 31 – 15 Staines RFC

With several faces returning from injury, including talismanic captain Nick Gudgin, Datchworth couldn’t wait to start the new year. They scored early, no 8. John Scarratt barracking through the midfield ably supported by Alex Nolan. Whilst Nolan was held up short, full back Richard Mills was on hand to collect and to score his first try of the afternoon after 5 minutes. He soon followed up with a second, skinning the opposition winger for pace and having converted the first from out wide, converted the second and Datchworth were 14-0 up. The hosts then made a few sloppy errors and Staines retrieved the loose ball and bundled over in the corner. They couldn’t convert though added a penalty to bring the score to 14-8.

On the 32nd minute it was time for try of the match. Wing Geoff Clapp passed to Richard Mills who chipped the opposition winger, before nutmegging the full-back, collecting and sidestepping one more - and he was then over the line for his hat-trick with an outrageous try. Unfortunately he couldn’t add the extras. There was still time before the half for Datchworth to score the bonus point try, fly-half Tom Bennett ran in circles a few times, though managed to avoid two tackles and darted under the posts to make it 24-3. Mills couldn’t add the extras, it seemed he could only convert the harder kicks.

Staines came out for the second half with renewed energy, though couldn’t make their pressure tell. Staines then went down to 14 for ten minutes when their flanker put a late hit in on the Datchworth scrum-half Tom Wood. Five minutes later Datchworth’s Nick Holland stole a ball against the head in the lineout and the ball found its way in to the hands of Richard Mills who scored his fourth try and then added the extras from the touchline – 31-8. Changes then ensued as the festive season started to take its toll on the Datchworth players. There was still time for a late Staines try though it wasn’t to be and Datchworth can be happy with their five point win.

Saturday sees Datchworth travel to Kilburn Cosmos, 2pm kick off.