Pre-game showed a calm driven Datchworth outfit run through a full set of patterns with morale high across the side!! Lineouts looked sharp and the backs looked smooth! Which set us up going into the game. After missing last week due to work, Dom (the butcher) Negri had a minor issue with his lifting blocks but managed to source some sausages in time to make a start. debut for Lloyd-Williams starting 7 and Tom Johnson in the centres. Luton kicked off.

Datchworth started brightly and a break from Dom Negri, striding away from defenders before meeting the full-back, set up a great platform on Luton’s 22. Tom Wood spotted space in behind the defence and a perfectly weighted kick sat up nicely for John Simons to score in the corner on the 2 minutes mark after a footrace with Watt and the opposition full-back. Brunton missed the tight angled conversion from the byline.

Luton hit back immediately with a score of their own. Datch managed to repel the Luton forwards initially but eventually, they crashed over for a converted try.

The lead changed hands again after Brunton knocked over an easy 3 points before a training ground move saw them further ahead. Two Datch debutantes combined perfectly when Lloyd-Williams with his strictly style footwork picked a great line to glide through the Luton defence with the presence of mind to draw the full-back and send Tom Johnson to score under the posts.

Luton wouldn’t go away, however, and again responded with their second converted try after Luton’s fly-half made a clean break down the left-hand side to set up another chance which was taken well.

After Luton were penalised for diving over, Brunton’s second penalty kept Datch’s noses in front and more pressure resulted in Datchworth’s third try. Hugo Dawson (a huge threat to Luton at the break down) makes a turnover in the Datchworth half, the Datch backs take this as a prime opportunity and shift it to J.Young who goes route one with no hesitation. Once again Luton penalised at the breakdown Brunton leathered it inside the 22 and was rewarded when an excellent catch and drive saw Tom Blackwell latch on to the back of a maul and crash over. Brunton added the extras for 23-14.

Luton had the last word of the half when they scored out wide but this time the conversion was pushed wide. The half ended with more Datch pressure which should have given them their fourth and more breathing space, however, a knock on meant both teams went into the break with 3 tries and only kicks separating them, 23-19. Both sets of coaches would have been happy with their teams’ attacking intent but unimpressed with missed tackles.

Bennett made sure Datch started the second half strongly after evading three would-be tacklers to score under the posts. Brunton then nudged his third penalty of the game to extend the lead to 14 points, 33-19.

Nick Gudgin took to the field nursing a nasty elbow injury from the week previous. Penalised at the scrum for his bind, moments later Gudgin left the field with the recurring injury.

Luton then threw everything they had at Datch with both teams working hard in the sweltering heat. With 20 minutes to go, Luton got their bonus point try but importantly the conversion was missed which still left them needing to score twice. This mattered little, as although Datchworth didn’t see much of the ball in the last quarter, they defended with more desire and repelled attack after attack.

When the final whistle went, Datch could finally breathe a sigh of relief. 33-24 the final score but both teams played their part in an eventful and entertaining match.

Next week Datch have the tough prospect of travelling to Fullerians and, although they should have confidence from the win, they know an improved defensive display will be needed to get anything from the match.

Report prepared with contributions from Stu, Gudge, Billy and Pumbaa