Welwyn 24 - 14 Datchworth

Welwyn climbed above Datchworth in London 3 North West thanks to a 24-14 victory against their near-neighbours on Saturday.

The game was preceded with a minute’s silence for Scott Stone, a former player in the Mini-Junior section at Welwyn who tragically lost his life at the tender age of just 26. All six sides playing at Handside Lane stood shoulder to shoulder in his memory.

With both Welwyn and Datchworth comfortably in mid-table, the contest was largely about local bragging rights. Both sides had a number of late unavailabilities which disrupted their preparation for the game and opening exchanges were generally confined to the middle third of the pitch.

After 15 minutes, Welwyn were penalised for hands in the ruck and the visitor’s impressive scrum half Tom Wood duly converted to give Datchworth a 3-0 lead.

Datchworth stretched their lead soon afterwards with an unconverted try by Henry Mountain following a good break from No.8 Matt Francis.

The restart did not go 10 metres, but from the scrum, Datchworth lost control of the ball and Welwyn took full advantage. Adam Harcourt scooped up the loose ball and made good progress before the ball was moved to the right via Joe McKay to Ben Smith who scored in the corner.

An excellent conversion by Pat Lynch from the right hand touchline into the wind brought Welwyn within a point at 8-7.

Welwyn were soon on the attack again with skipper Rob Picken picking up the ball from the base of the scrum and making one of his trademark rampaging charges up-field. Carl Lewis released Ben Smith who was caught inches short of the line and although Welwyn then got the ball over the line, the final pass was adjudged forward.

The start of the second half was delayed by a nasty injury when Nick Holland suffered a dislocated elbow just before half-time.

Welwyn’s new head coach, Ian Matthews, replaced the injured Carl Lewis at half-time and Joe McKay moved to open-side wing forward. With five minutes of the second half played and from a scrum close to half way, Welwyn produced a clearly pre-arranged move when Ben Smith drifted in from the right wing and found a gap in the inside centre channel.

His pace and power saw him over for a fine try, duly converted by Pat Lynch to put Welwyn ahead for the first time in the match at 14-8.

Tom Wood narrowed Welwyn’s lead with a well struck penalty after Grant Keeler was penalised for not rolling away after a tackle. Pat Lynch and Tom Wood then exchanged penalties to bring the score to 17-14 with 10 minutes left to play.

Welwyn secured victory with the final score of the afternoon. Impressive centre Phil Grehan made a great break and fed Ben Solez, whose well-timed pass put Chris Kemp in for a try which Pat Lynch converted from the touchline.

Welwyn and Datchworth are now level on points in the league, but Welwyn are now above their visitors, having won one more game.