Datchworth RFC 27 – 12 Old Merchant Taylors RFC

After a rest week for Datchworth first team, they put out a strong lineout against OMT’s. Starting slowly, it was the visitors with the first score, adding the extras – Datchworth were 0-7 down. This seemed to kick the hosts into action and a period of pressure from the home side ensued. Finding themselves near the line, Centre Sam Brunton put in a deft chip & Wing James Watt was on hand with a brilliant finish. Unfortunately Full Back Richard Mills couldn’t add the extras from a tough touchline kick. Datchworth then found themselves down to 14 men for ten minutes, Captain Nick Gudgin seeing yellow after a string of Datchworth penalties. This however didn’t have too much impact on Datchworth & after a missed penalty from Mills, they scored their second try. Brunton kicked to touch from a penalty, an OMT managed to keep the ball from going out of play with a slap down, though Wing Watt was on hand to collect and after slicing through three OMT’s, was in for his second try. This one was converted and Datchworth went in at the half 12-7 up.

Post half time, Mills knocked over a well taken penalty for Datchworth and the hosts went 15-7 up. After ten minutes of attritional rugby and some loose kicking, OMT’s found themselves with a three on one overlap in their 22. Thinking they had scored, Scrum Half Grant Roe showed some demon pace and caught the visitors up to make a last-ditch, try saving tackle. Mills was on hand to back Roe up and Datchworth saved what seemed a certain try. OMT’s didn’t let that deter them though and scored next, bringing the score to 15-12. Datchworth needed to mix it up and bought on youngster Jake Ebhodaghe to make his debut in the back-row. Datchworth then won a lineout and put in a huge catch and drive from the forwards. Quick ball out, Centre Alex Nolan cut inside and shipped out to No 8. Stuart Young. Young passed to Brunton who dummied two men on the outside, ran back infield, broke a tackle from the final man and scored with an outstretched arm. Mills added the extras and Datchworth were 22012 up.

Centre Nolan was then sin-binned for a high tackle before Datchworth scored their bonus point try. Fly Half Tom Wood saw Ebhodaghe in space, spun the ball wide and Ebhodaghe put on the after burners to run in a debut try from 40 metres out, making the score 27-12. Not much happened in the final ten minutes and Datchworth ran out deserved winners.