Datchworth took Hitchin by surprise and scored an unconverted
try in the first minute.
Hitchin fought back into the Datchworth 22 with good inter-passing
and a strong run by Rooney down the left wing.
This led to a penalty to Hitchin which Ben Wiggins converted.
Excellent tackling by Hitchin and a good turnover and play
moved towards the Datchworth 22.
But Datchworth collected a loose kick ahead, kicked over the top of the Hitchin backs and
regathered the all and took the play to the Hitchin 22 where they were awarded
a penalty which they converted to three points.
From the kick off Hitchin recycled the ball and passed it
along the backs for James Ellis to go over for his first try for the club. The conversion missed narrowly.
From a scrum inside
the Hitchin 22 the Datchworth centre scythed through the defence to score under
the posts to make the conversion a formality.
A penalty against Datchworth for not rolling away was kicked
for the lineout but the ball was subsequently knocked on for a scrum to Datchworth.
With 10 minutes to go a penalty to Hitchin was kicked for the
lineout but Hitchin lost possession.
At this point the momentum was in Hitchin’s favour until
Hitchin lock Sam Underwood went down with what turned out to be a badly
broken leg.
Play eventually moved
to another pitch, but the long delay had affected Hitchin more than Datchworth.
Hitchin playing up the slope in the second half were finding
it difficult to get out of their won half but two scrums against the head and a
strong run from captain Bolter saw play
move into the Datchworth 22; but a lineout was lost and play moved into the
Hitchin half. The ball was kicked over
the Hitchin line but they managed to win the race for the touchdown to get a
drop out on the 22.
This was repeated a few minutes later as Datchworth continued
to pressure the Hitchin line and the ball was judged to be held up over the
line.
The pressure resulted in Hitchin conceding a penalty which
was converted.
Hitchin fought back to within 15m of the Datchworth line, but
a penalty for wheeling the scrum enabled
the defence to clear their lines
With ten minutes to go Datchworth scored a final try and
converted it to make the final score Datchworth 25 Htichin 8.
Team Sean McGinnity, Thomas Tidey, James Akrill, Samuel Underwood, Nick Panton, Adam Baird, Frederick Rooney, James Bolter, William Evans, Ben Wiggins, Jack Powell, Dale Baines, Tom Harries, William Rooney, Harry Cartwright
Subs William sale, Lewis Pettinger, James Donovan, James Ellis
Scores T: James Ellis (1)
P: Ben Wiggins (1)
The league: London North West 3