Datchworth 12 – 13 Wasps Amateurs

As the winter conditions set in, Datchworth were left deflated by a drop goal that saw them leapfrogged by Wasps in the table. Starting positively, the hosts pressured Wasps into conceding a series of penalties, though lacked the punch to really make deep inroads into the visitors defence and get on the scoreboard. In fact the only points of the first half came on the stroke of half time when Fly-Half Tom Wood instinctively slotted a drop goal, catching the visitors off guard.
For all their resolute play in the first half, Datchworth started the second half slowly and found themselves 7-3 down pretty quickly. A series of poor tackling throughout the Datchworth team saw Wasps break rapidly, making great yardage and pushing into the hosts 22. Scramble defence was not sufficient and the Wasps wing touched down in the corner, which was impressively converted by their Fly-Half from the touchline. Datchworth stormed back into Wasps territory, winning yet more penalties, two of these in kickable position. Fly Half Wood slotted both in an imperious kicking display all round to put Datchworth 9-7 up and pressure was beginning to tell- Wasps losing their Fly-Half to the sin ban for playing the ball off his feet. Unfortunately though, Datchworth couldn’t make the extra man count and though Wood got a second drop goal, Wasps were to have the last laugh. With 6 minutes to play and back to 15 men and having just knocked over a penalty, they began to pressure the hosts and although Datchworth defended impressively, were unaware of the scrum half setting himself for a drop goal attempt that he duly converted, leaving the final score 13-12 to Wasps.
Throughout the game discipline cost Datchworth and this loss was by far the hardest defeat to take from the season to date. Next week sees Datchworth play Harlow in a friendly (as there are no league fixtures), location to be confirmed, though will be updated on the website accordingly.