Travelling villagers win on the road....

On a narrow pitch, the game would have to be won up front, and with two equally large packs, this would turn out to be an epic battle.

The men in green started the strongest, pressurising the home defence with some excellent ball retention, gaining yards with every phase, forcing the West London forwards to infringe at a ruck. Sam Brunton slotting the penalty.

Not long after, some strong forward play, again gaining precious yards, forced the defence to be pulled infield and allowing some swift ball movement out to fullback Joe Richardson to power over in the corner.

Momentum with Datchworth was telling, as moment's later second row Mark Holgate burst through the lack lustre West London defence, offloading to Matthew Francis who, running at pace, drew in the fullback and fed a delicious ball out wide to wing James Watt to score under the posts. Brunton successful with the extras.

It wasn't until late in the half that West London began to string some good phases together, the powerful midfield runners that caused Datchworth problems earlier in the season couldn't break the well drilled defence.

Datchworth, working tirelessly on the floor, gained turnover ball and moving up field, were awarded a scrum 5 meters from the West London line, a good pick up from Captain and number 8 Matthew Francis enabled him to run in another try out wide.

West London rallied, and gained good territory, camping in the Datchworth 22 for the remainder of the half, persistent off side infringements from hooker Lewis Tyler saw him yellow carded, 3 points from the resulting penalty.

Back in the Datchworth half, another penalty given away needlessly was duly converted by the west London kicker.

Datchworth leading 20-6 at half time.

The second half was a different story, the home side were not going to make things easy for the villagers, some powerful midfield running and good offloading skills enabled them to score two quick tries, both converted.

West London continued to apply pressure on the tiring Datchworth defence, but again huge efforts in the ruck, gained turnover ball and with lines cleared, Datchworth found a second wind. Good forward play again gaining vital yards, allowed Captain Matthew Francis to dive over from close range for his second of the game. Brunton adding two more with the conversion.

A close final quarter was in store, Datchworth substitute back row Jamie Nutting making an immediate impact in the loose and pinning West London back with a good charge down from a clearance kick in their 22.

A final period of pressure was applied from the home team, camping in the Datchworth 22, much like the end of the first half, the men in green gave away a penalty at the ruck, this time loosehead John Scarratt seeing yellow.

Penalty kicked successfully, putting the score at 27-23 to the villagers.

With a man down, changes had to be made, a reshuffle in the pack meant player/coach Ian Reid made a long awaited comeback from injury, playing on the wing, he wasn't on long enough to make any telling contribution to the game, but was on the field at the final whistle, Bonus point in the bag, Datchworth worthy victors 27-23.

Match report by Lewis Tyler.