Datchworth RFC 21 - 8 Barnet Elizabethans RFC

Datchworth make it back to back home wins after seeing off a plucky Barnet side in a muddy affair.

Having trounced Harringey in their previous home outing, the hosts knew Barnet would provide a much sterner test. Playing down the hill, Datchworth secured an early penalty through good work at the breakdown and fly-half Tom Wood made sure of the early score. It seemed as if all the play was in the visitors 22, though strong defence made sure that any try scored would be well earnt.

25 minutes into the first half however Datchworth's pressure finally told as captain and number 8 Matthew Francis scored. Kicking to touch from a penalty, the hosts found their lineout just outside Barnet's tryline. A good throw from hooker Stuart Wilkins led to a fine lineout move (and one that I cannot give the secret away too) and from the ensuing mall, Francis touched down. Wood secured the conversion and following a Barnet penalty on the stroke of half time, the score was 13-3.

The second half was nothing short of a battle as both teams applied pressure with strong ball carrying, yet individual errors seemed on occasions to let both sides down. The next score was always going to be pivotal and it was the men in green that got it. A quick penalty caught Barnet off-guard and it was left to centre Henry Mountain to bundle over the line. Wood could not convert but with the gap at 15 points, it was always going to be a struggle for Barnet. Credit to the visitors though as they did not give up and their effort was rewarded with a well worked backs try, no conversion was added. Datchworth added a final penalty to their score to end deserved victors.

Datchworth's dominance at the set piece gave the backs a fine platform to build upon and going into the break, leaves the team brewing with confidence. The host's next game will be at local rivals Cheshunt on the 17th of November.