Datchworth 18 Hadleigh 17 Datchworth bucked this season s trend to make progress in the second round of the EDF Energy Senior Vase. Unlike this season s early league fixtures, they built up a lead and managed to hold on – but only just. Despite the visito

Datchworth 18 Hadleigh 17

Datchworth bucked this season's trend to make progress in the second round of the EDF Energy Senior Vase.

Unlike this season's early league fixtures, they built up a lead and managed to hold on - but only just.

Despite the visitors playing a league higher last year, the villagers were the better side and at times played some entertaining and skilful rugby.

A fine passage of quick passing between backs and forwards led to Datchworth's first try and the first score in a senior shirt for 17-year-old Tom Nesbitt.

The young full-back is another product of the village club's mini and youth sections.

He is doing well to fill the boots of last year's player of the year Alun Thomas, who is still recovering from a fractured cheekbone.

Nesbitt made short work of the last defender having received the pass in space from outside centre Richie Howells who had opened the scoring with a penalty and then added another later in the half.

Another youth system product, 19-year-old Andy Tarsey, had an effective game at openside flanker with an impressive tackle count.

Datchworth's competent and confident rugby was interspersed with poor execution and decision making though.

This included being marched back 20m for indiscipline, ground it took the home side 17 minutes to recover.

The interval lead was pegged back to 11-5 following the loss of field position and poor fringe defence allowed the Hadleigh forwards to claim a try.

Datchworth then found their patience and form building good field position through the boot of fly-half Tom Morton from clean first phase possession.

An infringement allowed Datchworth to kick to within 10m and the superbly executed lineout and drive enabled hooker Rob Botterman to cross for the second try.

Howells added the conversion from wide out having missed a number of easier penalty chances earlier in the tie.

Hadleigh were further assisted as poor control at the back of a deep Datchworth scrum presented the openside with a pickup and score.

After the last Datchworth attack failed, their defence at least held out long enough to make the conversion for the third Hadleigh try the last kick of the game, leaving the home side to progress by a single point.

Head coach Mark Pittaccio said: "Our main objectives this season are to consolidate our league position and to put together a good cup run.

"I believe that we can progress in the competition but will need to revisit our mental approach and decision making and work harder on the training field first.