Datchworth 14 - 13 Welwyn

IT was tense and tight before Datchworth prevailed to defeat Welwyn 14-13 at home in RFU London division three north west.
Saturday’s match was attritional with no quarter given and neither side’s defence taking a backward step.
After Datchworth’s first ever win against the visitors last season they were ready to prove it wasn’t a one-off performance.
The action centred around the centre of the park in the first half until a kick chase resulted in a turnover and Craig Rowlinson making a break up the middle before Tom Wood kicked a drop goal.
Stung, Welwyn fought back and scored a penalty.
There was then pressure from the visitors which resulted in an unconverted try to put Welwyn 8-3 ahead.
The Welwyn fly-half sin-binned for a high tackle around the half hour mark and Wood kicked a penalty.
Despite being a man down, Welwyn scored a try through their forwards close to the posts.
With their fly-half in the bin, their number eight took the kick and it came back off the posts.
This miss later proved crucial.
Datchworth trailed 13-6 at the break.
The hosts fought back to score a 50th minute unconverted try through Rowlinson.
Datchworth then grabbed the win when attacks down the middle set up a position for Wood to kick a drop goal on 65 minutes.
Welwyn’s cause was not helped by two yellow cards in the last five minutes.

Match report written byTom Wood