Datchworth 20 - 23 Grasshoppers

A slow start inevitably cost Datchworth after they looked to build on their impressive win over Fullerians last week. Grasshoppers leaped out of the blocks and found themselves with two early tries to go 10-0 up before there was even 10 minutes on the clock. An early try (after an intercepted pass) saw their first try, this followed by some very impressive forward work and a break from Grasshoppers ginormous second row brushing off some weak first up tackles to bundle over, neither try converted.

This seemed to wake Datchworth up and they soon came back flying on all cylinders and managed to reclaim the lead. Firstly, strong sequential forward play led by props Sam McBroom and Jamie Nutting saw Datchworth barrage up the pitch. Datchworth then won a penalty and kicked for the corner. An outstanding lineout move saw the ball fall to Captain and No 8. Matt 'Rambo' Francis whom simply had to touch the ball down over the line. Scrum-half Tom Wood then converted from the touchline to bring the score to 10-7.

Datchworth then followed up with back to back penalties (both excellent finishes by Wood) and a second try. With the ball in their own half, Datchworth backs put together some strong running lines that saw centre Matt Winters break through the defence line kicking the ball through. Rushing up to the full back, he put him under pressure and saw the ball bounce again over line and Datchworth winger James Watt nipped in there to touch down first, again expertly converted by Wood - 17-7. Datchworth went into the half with a lead, though it was reduced with a last minute unconverted try from Grasshoppers 17-15.

The clouds and wind came into the second half and conditions rapidly deteriorated. An early Datchworth penalty was all they could offer and they then lost Captain Francis to the sin bin for foul play at the contact area. Although holding touch throughout the 14 men period, as soon as he was back on they conceded their fourth try of the game, Grasshopper's hooker barraging in under the posts. Aptly poised at 20-20 with 10 minutes to go, Grasshoppers managed to knick a penalty which saw them run-out winners in a fiercely contested game.

An impressive performance never the less, Datchworth have a week off next week before going to visit Old Streetonians in Central London.