Welwyn (10) v Datchworth (27)

Report by Icarus Bryant-Fowler

Welwyn U-15 (10) 10 v. 27 (5) Datchworth U-15

Against a Welwyn side shorn of some of their better players, Datchworth put in a sterling effort and came out on top of a hard fought local derby.

The first half was an error strewn affair, the least said about that probably the better. Ball was knocked on or forward passed at regular intervals by both sides. Datchworth withstood a lot of early Welwyn pressure and managed to keep the host team to within a score at half time.

In the second half, Datchworth woke up, began to believe in themselves and started to play some of the best rugby they have played all season. Forwards contested the ball, backs ran straight and passed the ball, and inroads into the Welwyn half were carved out. The result was 22 unanswered points and an emphatic win.

Welwyn kept trying and tackled their hearts out, but wave after wave of men in green managed to make progress up the field.

There are still lessons to be learnt. We continue to tackle to high, aiming for the ball/chest rather than the legs, and we can still try for the optimistic floated pass, see DoD Award, rather than the sensible safe option.

Having said that, is was good to finally get a win over Welwyn, and the boys did work really hard, and deserve all the credit. The effort the boys put in and the fact that they were playing for each other really shone today.

Man of the Match: Dean - for a fantastic 2nd half performance.

DOTD: Matthew - for too many 'optimistic' passes.