With only a minute on the clock they took a 3-0 lead through the boot of Tom Wood, having started at a high intensity forcing an error in defence. Straight from the restart the forwards and backs were linking well, good breaks from Billy Gatfield and Matt Francis - paired together in the second row - drew numbers to create space out wide; Tom Bennett going close on the left wing.

Royston weathered the storm as Datchworth clung on to possession for the first ten minutes. A turnover on the right flank gave the home side an attacking opportunity, but Gatfield stole the ball back for the greens in midfield - the first of many in a busy first half for the second row.

Just before the end of the first quarter, the home defence finally conceded. From a penalty a well-struck Sam Brunton kick put Datchworth in touch, for Jake Ebhodaghe to start a solid catch and drive move. Liam Walker took second phase, crashing over for his maiden try. Wood added to his personal tally for a 10-point cushion.

Royston made good progress with ball in hand, but were unable to retain possession with the troublesome back row trio of Marcus Potter, Ebhodaghe and Stuart Young forcing errors. Datchworth were eager to throw the ball around and went close again with Bennett on the left, who made space for Wood to find Louis Watts cutting back inside, the latter penalised for not releasing. Matt Francis had the next effort, a Brunton miss-pass finding him out on the line but with no space to finish as Royston covered off the gap.

Datchworth made their first change; Walker rotating with front row buddy Sam Thornton, with ten minutes to play of a frantic first half.

Just after the half-hour mark, Bennett finally claimed his first of the season. Quick ball from Wood went wide to Alex Nolan, who paired up with Bennett in a simple 2-on-2, with the winger touching down in the corner. Wood couldn't combat the wind from the tee; 0-15.

Datchworth tried one last attack as the half closed out, losing wing Nick Moore in the process. He made way for centre James Young on debut with a reshuffle of the back line - Watts moving to the right wing. From the following scrum, the greens managed to string together some good phase play, slowly encroaching into Royston's 22. Stuart Young picked from the base of a ruck, and with a deft show and go went through under the posts, unopposed. Wood slotted the conversion for a 22-0 lead on the stroke of half time.

The villagers were less boisterous in the opening exchanges of the second half until Bennett made room for himself once more on the left, and made good yards before being bundled into touch. In the same passage of play, Datchworth lost Gatfield - who had been instrumental to that point, with turnovers and powerful charges round the fringes - to a red card for foul play.

It took the villagers little time to rally round and settle, on 50 minutes Matt Francis finished off another period of phase play in the corner for the bonus-point try. Brunton couldn't find his favourite colour tee and as a result was unlucky with the conversion.

Royston were unable to make any real territory, and were forced to attack from deep in their half when possession came their way. Datchworth continued to push for a fifth - Francis again with ball in hand making a break from 22 to 22. Brunton made touch from a penalty and it looked like the try would come, however a knock on during the maul gave Royston respite.

With twenty minutes remaining, the fifth did come via quick thinking in the backs. James Young made headway on the left before beating his man and cutting inside. Nolan was in support on his right, and received a delicate back-of-the hand offload from Young. With two men to beat, Nolan made the return pass to Young, still on his left, who then took the easy route - a simple pass to Bennett for him to poach his second. Wood went close but not close enough with the conversion; the lead now stretched to 32 points.

Datchworth were picking up knocks and with 14 men looked to wind down the clock a little, the forwards controlled the pace and held onto the ball, combined with clever probes into Royston's 22 from Brunton.

Walker made it a brace running in from 15 yards through a number of tackles, "it was as if I [Walker] was covered in butter, they just slipped off" the proud prop exclaimed. Clean ball from a ruck presented Wood with numerous options; the closest of which was the outstretched arms and puppy dog eyes of Walker on the crash. He broke the first tackle, and with two men in his way he charged on taking both with him. He was tackled just short but grounded the ball with an outstretched arm. Wood slotted the extras for 0-39.

Datchworth could have had another in the dying moments, as Walker soon had a chance for his third and an unopposed run to the line - but the butter had made its way to his hands and the hat-trick slipped through his grasp.

The villagers come away pleased to have maximised the points on offer, and look forward to a tough local derby against Stevenage Town on Saturday - 2.30pm kick off at Datchworth.