Harrow 3 Datchworth 27 In a game which was punctuated with injuries on both sides, this game finished nearer the two-hour mark than the intended 80 minutes! The opening few minutes of the game were a bit patchy, but Datchworth soon showed their dominance

Harrow 3 Datchworth 27

In a game which was punctuated with injuries on both sides, this game finished nearer the two-hour mark than the intended 80 minutes!

The opening few minutes of the game were a bit patchy, but Datchworth soon showed their dominance by playing territory rugby and pinning Harrow in their own half.

It was not long before Datchworth opened the scoring with a try from openside flanker Ian Reid. With a missed conversion, the away team were now five points up.

Despite this early lead, Datchworth were not able to utilise their early dominance, and it was not long before some scruffy play saw Harrow awarded a penalty which brought them into the game with their first points.

It was at this point where an unfortunate contact situation left a Harrow player significantly injured and needing urgent medical attention. The game was delayed resulting with the decision to be continued on an adjacent, unused pitch.

Instead of being distracted, Datchworth really upped their game and came together as a 15-man unit for the first time of the day.

Datchworth were now applying pressure on the home side from all corners of the park. It was only going to be a matter of time before Harrow conceded points or penalties - and penalties it was.

With a well-worked penalty move from the visiting side, man of the match Mark Holgate powered over between the posts to extend the lead even further.

With Tom Wood dispatching the conversion, Datchworth went into the break 12-3 up.

Playing with a renewed energy and belief, Datchworth started the second half how the first ended. They scored some more points against a tiring Harrow side.

A fantastic passage of play from the backs saw Barry Malone break the defensive line.

With just the full-back to beat, the Datchworth player was spoilt for choice as he had both Matthew Francis and Ian Reid from the back row in support.

Ultimately the ball came to the number seven to add another score to his try count. Wood had no problem dispatching the resulting conversion.

Datchworth were demolishing the opposition scrum with continuous wins against the head and strong drives from the back. The villagers used this confidence to secure good lineout, and one in particular on the opposition's 22m line saw a driving pack avoid being dragged down from the defensive line.

Some clever mauling with the ball in tight allowed Datchworth to drive all the way to the line with sub hooker Richard Elvery diving over to put the visiting team comfortably out of reach. With the missed conversion, the score was now 27-3, and this was how it remained.

Datchworth play this Saturday in a tough cup match against an in-form Harpenden outfit as the club hold their first vice-presidents lunch of the season.

Past players are welcome to attend the lunch as memorial benches will be unveiled for two club stalwarts, Dave Clark and Mick 'Beanie' Brownsell.