Datchworth Topple League Leaders for Third Time

Datchworth hosted the league leaders of London North West 3 on Saturday for the third time this season, and put in a fine performance to win 19-10.

Belsize Park came to the village full of confidence after a strong run of results saw them at the top of the league, whilst Datchworth came into the game on the back of a poor performance and loss to rivals Hitchin. However, like Welwyn and Stevenage who had visited earlier in he season as league leaders, it was the men in green who walked away with the spoils as well as maintaining their unbeaten home record.

It was the visitors who started the stronger side though, on a glorious autumnal day, with an immediate barrage of attack in the Datchworth half from kick off. However, Belsize were unable to break down the Datchworth defence, which stayed solid throughout, with some phenomenal tackling, especially from Matt Winters and Joe Richardson .

Datchworth took 20 minutes to get going in offence, but they soon discovered they had a incomparable edge in the scrum and started to gain momentum and territory in the match. The Villagers lost Stuart Young early to a facial injury, however he was replaced by Dave Bartlett, and John Scarratt went to Number 8. And it was Scarratt that got the first points on the board, the Datchworth scrum driving Belsize back from 5 metres out which left Scarratt the easy job of touching the ball down. Captain Tom Wood converted to give Datchworth a 7-0. Belsize pulled the scores closer with a penalty in the last play of the first half to take the score to 7-3 at the break.

It was the second half though where Datchworth took full control of the game. Scrums continued to drive the men in green forward and set a platform for the back line to play, and eventually Matt Winters went over in the corner to take the score to 12-3.

Some impeccable ball carrying from the Datchworth forwards marched them once again into the Belsize half, and it was captain Tom Wood who's quick thinking, along with feet, found a gap in defence and break away to take the scores to 19-3 once Sam Brunton converted.

Datchworth continue to power through Belsize Park in search of a fourth try to earn them a much deserved bonus point- yet they extraordinarily had five tries disallowed. As the home side tired, Belsize found a gap in the defence, and scored late on however it was merely a consolation try, with the game finishing 19-10.

Datchworth now have a week off before travelling away to Wasps, with the knowledge that if they can reproduce their home form on their travels, then a serious promotion push could be possible.