Datch 1st XV v Welwyn RFC 16th Sept 2017

After losing last weekend’s opening game of the season, Datchworth targeted a win against recently relegated Welwyn RFC with sweeping changes to the side. 10 personnel and 4 positional changes meant that only Nick Holland (Horse) retained his shirt from last week.

The first scrum of the match saw Datchworth obliterate Welwyn’s pack, shunting them back more than 5 yards at pace. The dominance of Datchworth’s front row would continue throughout the match and culminate in Welwyn’s hooker subbing himself off unable to take the sustained pressure.

Datchworth’s forward power was rewarded with a try on the 9th minute punching up through the Welwyn defence. Unfortunately, the conversion was missed, a sign of things to come as Datchworth would end the day 0/4 from the boot.

Datchworth’s pod-based attack was paying dividends, creating lots of space, a quick-fire second try was not to be after some poor hands from the back of a ruck. From the next set of play, Tom Bennett kicked long and Craig Rowlinson almost grounded it after the Welwyn full-back waited too long for it to go dead. A television review may have benefitted Datchworth.

Stuart Young’s performance would net him Man of the Match and his pick and go from a scrum 15m out, bumping the winger and crossing the line to bring up 3-10 epitomised his work ethic. He racked up his brace with a charge down shortly after his first. Joe Richardson looked like he converted but controversially not given even though one flag went up and the Welwyn scoreboard recorded it.

The tide would turn in Welwyns favour after this early dominance James Watt went for an intercept, despite spreading himself like a starfish, misses. Welwyn score an unconverted try. Down the other end of the pitch, Tom Bennett found the referee blocking him from collecting a pass from the base of the scrum. Despite protests, Welwyn score an interception try from 60m out for 15-15 at Half-time.

A tap and go penalty and an intercept try from an Alex Nolan fumble saw Welwyn take a commanding if undeserved lead in the second half 27-15.

Stuart Young crossed again, looking to record a hat-trick but the referee’s call is “held up!”. A pin point kick to the corner from Sam Brunton was taken at full pace by James Watt on the line to bring Datchworth back into the contest.

With minutes to go Datchworth stepped up the pressure, looking to take home at least a draw, but a last-minute penalty was kicked by Welwyn.

30-20 loss for Datchworth may have been un-deserved and they were left thinking “what if?”. Finchley at home next week offers a chance to earn the points that this performance deserved.