Grasshoppers RFC 34 – 14 Datchworth RFC

A chilly away for Datchworth which was made a bit longer by the traffic created by the snow. Datchworth started slowly and Grasshoppers knocked over an early penalty. That seemed to kick Datchworth in to action and they were soon level, Wing Richard Mills with the penalty. The visitors then started to apply the pressure and the ball found its way to Wing James Watt. Chipping through, Grasshoppers’ full back came across and both he and Watt leapt for the ball. Unfortunately this led to a clash of heads and both players went off with concussion, Watt replaced by Dom Wright.

Datchworth then took the lead. Scrum Half Tom Bennett spotted a gap on the blind side off the back of a dominant Datchworth scrum and dummying the pass was over the whitewash, giving his team the lead. 3-8. Back came Grasshoppers & they were soon level. Mixing it in the Datch 22, a series of barracking runs saw their second row to crash over. Datchworth then retook the lead with another Mills penalty, to only be pegged back again and then overtaken with a second Grasshoppers try. A two on one easily converted and the score 13-11. Grasshoppers then scored a third out wide, Datchworth not keeping up with the pace and this one was converted. On the stroke of half time, Centre Sam Brunton made a break, though couldn’t quite get over. Datchworth won a penalty from the ensuing ruck and Mills slotted, 20-14 at half time.

Datchworth were making the early forays in the second half, though couldn’t quite add to their score. Mills thought he was in, though was stopped just short with a great cover tackle. A few more nearly moments weren’t to be and then the hosts scored their fourth try of the match. Again from open play, the Grasshoppers backs were carving through the Datchworth defence, eventually conjuring a 3 on 1 and a score. Extras added and it was 27-14. There was still time for a fifth and ‘Hoppers ran out winners.

The scoreline suggests there was a bigger gap between the teams than there actually was and it was an improved performance by the Greens. Saturday sees Datchworth host league leaders (and unbeaten) Hackney, 2.15pm kick off.