DATCHWORTH RFC V LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY RUFC - SATURDAY 5TH FEBRUARY 2022

Datchworth knew that they were in for a tough afternoon at home to third-placed Letchworth who were fresh from an excellent win against Fullerians the Saturday before.

The men in green started brightly, applying pressure through a combination of clean rucking and incisive running. They were rewarded by a penalty in the Letchworth 22. Tom Bennett duly obliged with the three points. However, Letchworth were soon into their stride, their young, powerful backs putting the stout Datchworth defence under more and more pressure until the Letchworth wing broke through two tackles to score in the left-hand corner.

Although Datchworth’s defence was generally good, there were a couple of defensive lapses out wide, resulting in two more tries for the hungry Letchworth backs, their right-wing scoring a hat-trick of tries in the match. At 3-15 down with ten minutes to half-time, Datchworth were up against it but quick re-cycling by the forwards and swift movement by the backs eventually yielded a penalty, another three points for Tom Bennett. At half-time, 6-15 down , Datchworth felt that they were still very much in the game.

In a second-half that was pretty even for territory and possession, Letchworth used their possession to more effect than the men in green and scored two more tries to lead 6-25 with fifteen minutes to go. The Datchworth backs could not be faulted for their effort but found it difficult to break down the tough Letchworth defence. The forwards worked well in the rucks but struggled in the set pieces. However, as usual, Datchworth never gave up and were rewarded for their hard work by a well-worked forwards try in the dying minutes, duly converted by Tom Bennett, to leave the score at 13-25.

Once again the young players were to the fore. Franco Caroleo excelled in attack and defence, Nick Moore defended stoutly, acting captain John Simons again had a great match and Drew Malins had a very sound debut at scrum-half. James Wilson on the wing showed his pace on a number of occasions and, once more, Dom Negri did a tremendous job shoring up the scrum from No. 8. Letchworth were worthy winners but the men in green fought hard and could be proud of their efforts against a very competent Letchworth outfit.