Double Derby Delight for Datchworth

Datchworth gave Welwyn the worst Christmas present imaginable on Saturday as the Villagers knocked their local rivals off the top of the table going in to the holiday break.

Datchworth visited Hobbs Way having never been victorious over their closest rivals on their own patch, but with quiet confidence of victory having been the only side to have beaten them this season when they visited the Village on the opening day of the season.

Datchworth welcomed back Stuart Young to No.8, with Rob Botterman giving them some vital experience in the front row, and after a emotional pre-match motivational speech from coach Ian Reid, the Men in Green came flying out of the blocks. Welwyn looked to play the early part of the game quickly, and any penalties awarded were taken quickly, partly due to the blustery conditions. Yet despite having most of the early possession, the home side could hardly break out of their own half, and when they tried to give an adventurous pass to the wing, Matt Winters read the play to intercept. The Centre broke clear, and was left with only the Full Back to beat, he duly offloaded to Man of the Match Tom Bennett who gave Datchworth an early lead. Captain Tom Wood converted to make the game 0-7.

Datchworth then took control of the game, when the ever-reliable Mark Holgate, playing his final game for the club before a big money transfer to Gibraltar , secured the ball in the line-out, it was distributed through the hands of the backs. Welwyn pressed fast to close down the visitors, but a magical Fijian style flick from Bennett gave room for James Watt to race into the corner and score in front of a somewhat disgruntled Welwyn crowd following their Vice-Presidents Lunch. The gale force conditions meant Wood struggled with the conversion, but Datchworth went into the break with a 0-12 lead.

The second half was a different encounter, with the wind against Datchworth, and the league leaders knowing their undefeated home-record was on the line. But the Men in Green fought valiantly, led from the front row by Sam McBroom, their scrum stayed solid and defense was unbreakable. The turning point then came, when vice-captain Sam Brunton was sent to the bin, and from a resulting scrum, The Welwyn No.8 picked from the base and crashed over from 5 yards out to take the scores to 7-12.

Despite the 1-man disadvantage, Datchworth managed to gain an valuable 3 points from the boot of Tom Wood, however soon after, Welwyn used the extra-man to their advantage. A spell of attacking rugby from the home side inevitably led to a string of phases being put together and a score out wide. Crucially the conversion was missed and the game was finely poised at 12-15.

Datchworth were returned to their full compliment, but the momentum had swung into the league leaders favor, as they pushed for the win. With the wind behind, the Hobbs Way side looked to go wide again when inside the Datchworth 22 metres, but the final pass was looped, and vitally intercepted bu James Watt. The ex-captain raced away up the field and scored, to jubilant celebrations from the visitors. Wood converted and Datchworth had an unattainable 12-22 lead.

Welwyn still pushed for a bonus point try, but this was a day for The Men in Green, and their defense stood strong. The final whistle blew, with Datchworth completing the double of their local rivals, and the first victory in their history on Welwyn turf.