A Long Time Coming….

Datchworth’s First XV were looking to end a losing streak of 4 games and did so against a young and spirited New Zealand side. There is no secret about the fact that the boys in green are rebuilding this year, and with a significantly low average playing age this was the first game where their individual talents came together to form a creative and resolute squad.

The day itself was a very warm and dry one – always an uncomfortable environment to play fast and aggressive rugby for 80 minutes – and the home side took a little while to get going and at the start of the game conceded a try through some mistimed tackles, which was duly converted.

Gathering under the posts Datchworth clearly decided that they had to take the game by the scruff of the neck, keep possession and suffocate the travelling kiwis. They put this into practice and with the last 20 minutes of the first half Datchworth maintained possession and applied enormous pressure going uphill. After 10 or so minutes of being held at the New Zealanders 5 meter line, fly half Sam Brunton decided that enough was enough and slotted a cleanly struck drop goal to ensure the boys at least had a score going into half time...and indeed they did with the half ending 3-7.

The home side started the second half as they ended the first with keeping possession and frustrating the visitors by not allowing them possession. This was going well until the opposition stole the ball and ran in to score a try against the run of play to make the score 3-12. The following conversion was missed by the half back.

Instead of their heads going down the boys in green decided there and then that the win was not going to be taken from them and showed enormous strength to carry the ball back into the opponents 22 where they camped. Some lovely pick-and-goes from the pack combined with dynamic attacking lines from the backs meant that Datch had opportunities to get a score and get back into the game.

After a maul from a Datchworth lineout the ball ended up falling to returning wing Adam Scanlon who showed great pace and determination to beat the New Zealand covering defence to dive over and score in the corner. Conversion missed meant score was now 8-12.

Datchworth now had their tails up and could see their opponents tiring in hot conditions. With only minutes remaining Sam Brunton could see space developing where the full back was being pulled out of position and dinked a ball through for Jordan Brewer to gather and dive over for another try taking the score to 13-12 – meaning the villagers were in front for the first time in the game.

They were not going to let this lead go and managed to show great courage against some seriously controversial refereeing decisions as well as a New Zealand backline which always looked threatening. The scramble defence of the villagers was immense and the attitude to run from an attacking position back to their own 22 in defence showed everyone’s commitment to the cause.

The game ended 13-12 and this was the day that the young boys of Datchworth showed that they can be counted upon to stand tall in this league as they look to progress up the table.

Standout Man Of The Match performance went to full back Tom Bennett who allowed the opposition no chance with some stifling tackles, piercing runs and a right boot which was constantly sending the away team back down the field to whence they came.

Datchworth are still waiting for a number of players to return from injury but with this hard fought win under their belts they travel to Bank of England next week looking for their first away win.