Datchworth RFC 16 - 17 Harrow RFC

The first day of the new season saw Datchworth take on the newly promoted and the unknown quality of Harrow 1XV. After poor starts in their pre season friendly’s Datchworth knew they couldn’t afford to give Harrow the early momentum and came firing out of the blocks dominating possession straight from the kick off. However it was clear to see Harrow had not been promoted to just make up numbers and from the off their defence remained strong matching Datchworth blow for blow.

The early pressure eventually told on the Harrow defence and some great interlinking between Datch’s forwards and backs saw Grant Roe sprint up the wing and chip the ball inside to James South who scored under the posts. Tom Wood slotted the extras to take Datch into a 7-0 lead.

This early score gave Harrow the motivation to come straight back into the game and from the restart camped themselves down in the Datchworth half. Datch showed some inspired defence but some dominating runs but the Harrow forwards led to their back row scouring a try, which was converted by their 10 and the game was equalled at 7-7.

Datch came straight back into the game and tirelessly worked their way into the Harrow half until a penalty was finally awarded for hands in at the breakdown. Tom Wood chose to take the 3 point and get Datch back in the lead, 10-7.

Again from the restart Datch put the pressure back on, however a turnover ball and some sloppy defence by the home side saw Harrow run away with a breakaway try taking the score to 14-10. There was little time left in the half but just before the referee blew the whistle Harrow were awarded a penalty in front of the posts which the Harrow kicker had no problem converting. The half time score was 17-10.

The second half started with Harrow exerting their power and Datchworth held strong in their 22 not to concede a try. From then on the match became very additional with play staying in the middle of the park and neither side having much chance of scoring. Datchworth managed to get themselves back to within 1 point from 2 penalties, however this was not enough and the match finished 16-17 in Harrows favour.

Next week sees Datchworth playing Stevenage in a local derby.

Match report written by Tom Wood.