Datchworth RFC 36 - 8 Hitchin RFC

In a rain affected derby, Datchworth winger James Watt scored twice to secure a bonus point 36-8 victory and send the village side into the Christmas break on the back of a five game winning streak.

Despite the comfortable victory margin, Datchworth had to battle for their win as Hitchin started the contest the stronger of the two sides. It was only resolute Datchworth defence that prevented the visitors from crossing the line for an opening try, as Hitchin opted to kick at goal to take an early 3 point lead.

However, Datchworth’s reaction did not take long as a penalty kick and the first of Watt’s brace put the home side 8-3 in front after fifteen minutes; accurate passing and strong midfield carrying put Watt in the clear but with two Hitchin defenders still to beat, the Datchworth wide-man rolled back the years as he stepped his way past the covering wing and full back to put the home side in front.

It was shaping up to be a contrasting contest between Datchworth’s guile and Hitchin’s brawn. Soon after Watt’s first score, Datchworth lost their captain and number 8 Matt Francis to injury and with the rain teeming down and standing water on the pitch, the conditions now seemed perfectly suited to Hitchin’s abrasive game plan. However, the Datchworth pack found their bite and lead by the inspired Paul Broadwood took the fight to Hitchin.

The early yards that Hitchin found around the fringes of the ruck dried up as Datchworth’s aggressive defence around the break-down forced the away side into moving the ball into midfield. For all of Hitchin’s possession throughout the contest, the away side struggled to break Datchworth’s gain-line.

Happy to trust their defence, Datchworth made the most of their turn-over ball finding holes in both Hitchin’s midfield defence and around the ruck where Mark Holgate carried time and again through the heart of Hitchin’s forward pack. With Datchworth making ground through the middle of the field, space opened up for the Datchworth wings as both Tom Bennett and James Watt finished well worked team scores to increase the home sides lead.

With Datchworth three tries to the good, Hitchin put together several phases of play before good hands from the visitors resulted in the away team’s left wing squeezing into the corner. However, Hitchin’s score proved to be a false dawn as Datchworth’s much improved kick-chase turned-over the ball allowing the home side’s fly-half, Tom Wood, to kick on and win the chase to the try line. Five minutes later and more strong work from the Datchworth forward pack allowed the ball to be moved into midfield where Henry Mountain barrelled over the line, transporting the ball on his shoulder like a merry landlord with a keg of Christmas beer to complete a well earned victory for the village side and end 2012 on an appropriately seasonal high-note.

Match report written by Marcus Potter