Datchworth 13 – 26 Finchley

Datchworth welcomed back skipper Nick Gudgin to the fold, alongside returning student wing Geoff Clapp & No. 8 John Scarratt. Finchley, recently buoyed by a win against high flying Grasshoppers were playing for their survival in the league and also had a strong lineup.

Finchley scored first. Winning a scrum against the head, the ball was shipped wide and after two phases, the ball found its way to the wing and Finchley took at 5 point lead. Datchworth came firing back, a solid scrum in midfield led to Fly-Half Tom Bennett reverse passing inside to Centre Sam Brunton who broke through the line. Brunton was 2 on 1 with the Finchley Full-Back, offloaded to Full Back Richard Mills and he was in under the posts. Mills added the extras & the hosts took the lead 7-5. There wasn’t too much to report before the end of the half, the highlight was probably some deft kicking from Brunton though Datchworth couldn’t make it count. Mills added a penalty on the stroke of half-time – 10-5 Datchworth.

The visitors scored straight after half time. Datchworth slow out of the blocks, Finchley crashed over from a line-out & went 12-10 up. Finchley then spent the next 15 minutes bombarding the hosts line though could not find a way through the staunch Datchworth defence, Datchworth holding the ball up over their own line on two occasions. Flanker Matt Francis was sent to the sin-bin in the midst of the 15 minute bombardment, though Finchley couldn’t make it count & Datchworth pushed out of their line. Unfortunately on playing their way out, Datchworth had a pass intercepted and Finchley were in under the posts to take a nine point lead (10-19). Datchworth clawed back another penalty though it wasn’t to be. With the final play with Datchworth pushing for the try, Finchley turned the ball over from a knock on and ended up 26-13 winners.

Saturday sees Datchworth travel to St Albans for the penultimate game of the season.