Datchworth RFC 7 – 57 Stevenage RFC

Datchworth welcomed back Henry Mountain for his first game of the season, accompanying a relatively young team to face a more experienced outfit in Stevenage. For the first five minutes, Datchworth looked spritely and won a penalty in the Stevenage half. Unfortunately Wing Richard Mills couldn’t get them off the mark. Soon after Mills had a second penalty attempt though that one also edged wide. It was Stevenage that scored the first points of the afternoon. A pick & pop from Flanker Scott Quarmby found Gareth Lewis in space. The ball eventually found its way to No 8. Phil Pearson and he went over for the visitor’s first try, conversion added. Stevenage quickly scored a second in a corner and were 12-0 up. Pearson then scored a second and then Datchworth lost Centre Alex Nolan, Mountain coming on to replace him. Stevenage scored their fourth after 30 minutes, Centre Ian Crompton showing a blinding turn of pace and he was in under the posts. Datchworth followed up with their solitary try of the game, Mills picking off a loose pass & running the length of the pitch. Converting his own try, the score went to 7-26. Just before the half, Crompton darted through again and Datchworth went in 33-7 down.

The second half started like the first finished and as Gareth Lewis crossed for the visitors. There were then two tries for the Stevenage Wing & one for Openside Flanker Heiko van Zwieten leaving the final score 7-57. A well-deserved victory for Stevenage who were clearly the stronger team and have now won six on the bounce. Datchworth travel to Hemel Hempstead Saturday looking to make amends after a disappointing day at the office.