Six in a row for the men in green

JAMES WATT once again dominated the score sheet as Datchworth continued their good form away to Tabard.

Receiving the kick, the Greens started strongly with Richard Hollis - returning to the pack following a long term injury - making the initial charge before Liam Walker attracted the attention numerous defenders leaving Bennett with space for a run. Centre Alex Nolan made more yards before running out of room; play brought back for a penalty.

The home side were given little opportunity to settle with Datchworth knocking at the door continuously for the first ten minutes, perhaps a little too exuberant in attack for the coaching team's liking as two or three very good chances came to nothing. Alex Nolan cut a superb line through the defence but his long pass out to Watt, who was unmarked, found touch. Watt went over the line moments later - a smooth lineout setting up a 3-man overlap, only for a mistimed run to force a forward pass. A third attempt saw Wood break blind from a scrum, releasing Watt for a chip-chase; the Tabard full back just beat the latter to the ball.

Datchworth's first points should have come from the boot of Tom Wood. With Tabard on the offensive the Datchworth scrum half dived into a ruck, presumably looking to share some body heat as the wind was getting up, sneakily trying to make it look like he was attempting a turnover. Ably assisted by Marcus Potter, the green number nine regained possession for the greens. A quick break to the left came to nothing other than a penalty, but Wood himself was off target.

When the try finally came it was quick and clinical. A clearance kick was charged down and found its way into the hands of Stu Young. Datchworth countered out wide through Alex Nolan, who almost went alone. A calm but brilliant back of the hand offload found Watt, who had cut the perfect angle in support to poach his first of the day. Wood added the extras for a 7-0 lead.

Tabard were straight back from the restart. With little possession thus far, they showed what they could do with ball in hand and rumbled upfield - forwards doing most of the legwork with the backs making extra yards. They came away with 3 points of their own.

Another charge down - this time by Walker - almost brought Datchworth a second try but the prop couldn't get to the loose ball before it went dead.

Just before half time Datchworth introduced Dom Negri on debut. The young back row has trained exceptionally since turning 17 and earned a Saturday morning call up to the bench. He replaced an injured Billy Gatfield but also slotted in perfectly at the front of the line out.

Datchworth made two more changes before any additions to the scores; skipper Nick Gudgin swapped with Tom Blackwell in the front row at half time, and Geoff Clapp sauntered on after 50 minutes as a like-for-like wing replacement for Snake Hips himself, Nick Moore. Clapp made an immediate impact with a strong run and crazy offload, but the attack fizzled out with a turnover.

Watt soon after claimed his brace and notched up his 13th try of the campaign - making 7 in the last 3 matches. Wood made a quick break from a penalty and found Nolan in support. The centre then drew the last defender to send Watt through with a simple offload. Wood was unable to convert.

Tabard went close as Datchworth's defence lapsed momentarily. The back row covered well, earning a penalty at the breakdown, and Brunton cleared their lines.

With enough on the clock for two plays, a safe catch from Negri in the lineout set up a drive from the forwards with Matt Francis going over for the score. The last play of the game looked to be going the visitors' way too, needing one more try for the bonus point. Despite good runs from Potter and Clapp the Tabard defence held firm and the match finished as a 17-3 win for the men in green.

Datchworth travelled knowing a win was necessary to keep promotion hopes alive, and that a loss would see them back in with the chasing pack. A week off from league action will hopefully get the squad back to full strength for Harrow's visit on 26th January.