Datchworth 34-15 Welwyn

Welwyn came to Datchworth on the back of a strong opening season win, though could not replicate the form as the impressive greens dominated up front to help them secure their first victory of the season.

It was actually Welwyn that took the lead early on, a well taken try from Andy Smith in which he brushed off three home tackles saw Welwyn take a 5-0 advantage. Datchworth picked themselves up and soon secured a lineout in the opponents 22. A well worked move saw number 8. Matt Francis crash over and Datchworth move into the lead. Captain Tom Wood with the extras. Datchworth followed up with a second try, a well-executed backs play saw Tom Bennett in under the posts, the score increased to 14-5. Penalties were then exchanged (Wood and Dave Wells for Welwyn). Then, on the stroke of half time, a barnstorming run from back-row Mark Holgate saw him in under the posts and a 22-8 score at half time. The pressure from Datchworth’s scrum in particular was really taking its toll on Welwyn.

Roared on by the Datchworth mini section, the hosts came out energised and soon secured the bonus point try. The ball worked its way through the backline and found itself in the hands of centre Matt Winters, who again sored under the posts. Tom Wood then added the fifth try, a snipe from the back of the scrum which saw him run 30 metres in which he brushed off two tackles to squeeze over the line. A well taken try for Welwyn at the death from Phil Grehan (converted by Rory Harcourt) was nothing more than consolation as Datchworth did the dead over Welwyn for the third year on the bounce.

Next week see’s Datchworth travel to Hackney in buoyant spirits and they’ll be looking for a repeat performance.