Kilburn Cosmos RFC – 19 – 13 Datchworth RFC

Datchworth travelled to Gladstone Park buoyed by a good bonus point win at Staines last Saturday. The match started with high intensity and plenty of crash running from both sides, though there weren’t any early scores. After 17 minutes, Datchworth Prop Will Williams made a good turnover and Datchworth found themselves with the ball in space. Datchworth then won a penalty and went for the corner. Unfortunately, the ensuing line out wasn’t quite straight and Kilburn were able to clear. After a further ten minutes of pressure and a few moments of white line fever from the Datchworth pack, they finally got on the scoreboard. A cross field kick from Sam Brunton found its way to Full Back Richard Mills and he touched down to take his tally to five tries in two games, though he couldn’t add the extras. Kilburn hit straight back, cutting a strong line through the midfield and under the posts for the score. Then, on the stroke of half time the hosts scored again. A loose ball was hacked through twice and the Cosmos Winger won the foot race, Kilburn went in 12-5 up at half time.

Datchworth rang the changes at half time, introducing Tom Wood (Scrum Half) and Dan Blackwell & John Simons to the pack. The immediate score after half time was going to be crucial and unfortunately for the greens, it was Kilburn that got it. A chip over the Datchworth line found its way to the Kilburn Centre and they took a 19-5 lead. Datchworth hit back with ten minutes to go, a driving lineout saw Simons touch down and Datchworth moved within 9 points. Datchworth then bombarded the host’s line for the last ten minutes which saw them lose their captain to a red card (high tackle). Datchworth couldn’t quite get over the line unfortunately. Then, with the last play of the game, Datchworth won a penalty forty metres out. Captain Nick Gudgin passed the ball to Mills who coolly slotted over to secure a losing bonus point for Datchworth.