Datchworth 30 - 3 Wasps

London Wasps suffered a miserable visit to South Hertfordshire failing to cross Datchworth’s line during a four try, bonus point win for the village side.

With the prospect of relegation in the offing, the London based side started strongly and with 30 minutes on the clock were well in the contest. Datchworth captain, Tom Wood, slotted two penalties before Wasps’ first successful attempt on goal cut the deficit to 3 points and made an upset seem highly possible with only ten minutes left to play in the first half.

The score-line, finely balanced 6-3 in favour of the home side, failed to spur Wasps on. Marshalled by fly-half, Tom Bennett, Datchworth marched up field before wing, James Watt, crossed for his fourth try in two games leaving scrum half, Tom Wood, an easy conversion to extend the lead to 13-3 at the interval.

Watt’s try on the stroke of half-time was a sucker-punch to the visitors from which they never recovered. Buoyed by Watt’s score, the home side flew out of their corner following their half-time oranges and delivered blow after blow to the punch-drunk Wasps as Watt crossed for his second try before hooker, Tom Blackwell, extended the villagers’ lead by dotting down from a rolling maul.

With seconds left, veteran prop, Neil Hanlon, rolled back the years by barging over in the left hand corner to secure a 30-3 bonus point win and crowning what had been a stellar weekend for the village club following national success for the under 11s and a hard fought win for the second XV over local rivals Fullerians.

Wood and his men cannot afford to rest on their laurels next weekend when it’s their turn to travel to table-topping Fullerians for what promises to be a spicy local derby.

Match Report written by Marcus Potter