Datchworth 15 – 7 Barnet Elizabethans

On a sunny but windy Saturday afternoon, Datchworth won the inaugural match on their new first team pitch to secure their status in London North West Division Three for next season and massively dent Barnet’s promotion chances. In what was always going to be a tight affair, Datchworth came out superior though a dogged and gutsy 18 man performance.

Things did not start so brightly for the home sight as the visitors scored an early try after some good work by the forwards release their back line. Duly converted, Barnet took an early 7-0 lead. Datchworth came back hard though, strong play from 1 – 15 soon took it’s toll on Barnet and constant forward momentum led the host’s centre Henry Mountain to find himself with space on the left wing. Casually handing off the Barnet centre, Mountain dived over the line to celebrate Datchworth’s first try on the new pitch. Just before half time, Barnet conceded a penalty in front of the sticks, Sam Brunton slotting the kick to give Datchworth a worthy 8-7 lead.

The second half was always going to be a battle and Datchworth came out victorious – playing much of the half with fourteen men. An intercepted pass led to Datchworth’s second try (again centre Henry Mountain), these to be the only points of the half. Despite going down to fourteen men after a sin binning of Datchworth Flanker Dave Bartlett (deservedly), the hosts defence proved robust and even when they again went down to fourteen again this time through injury, the forwards and back alike toughed it out in what was a most satisfying victory against promotion chasers Barnet.

Match report by Sam McBroom