Datchworth are now near to promotion from the London Four North West. They inched closer with a convincing 42-7 win at bottom of the league Old Verulamians. Datchworth ran in six tries to run out worthy winners and coach Mark Pittaccio was delighted. The

Datchworth are now near to promotion from the London Four North West.

They inched closer with a convincing 42-7 win at bottom of the league Old Verulamians.

Datchworth ran in six tries to run out worthy winners and coach Mark Pittaccio was delighted.

"The whole team performed well especially our back three of James Watt, Henry Mountain and the ever dependable Al Thomas.

"Laine Pearse at flanker took his opportunity to play up from the seconds particularly well.

"We now have the opportunity to secure our third promotion in four seasons at Hitchin which will be a fantastic achievement."

Datchworth started brightly and showed their intent by running a quick penalty early on and pressing the OV's line.

The home side had a sustained period of pressure, controlling the ball through their forwards and making significant inroads into Datchworth territory.

Poor execution in midfield on at least two occasions allowed the visitors to regain possession and clear their lines.

After absorbing the pressure, Datchworth opened the scoring.

Flanker Tom Ruffle took the ball into contact on the visitors' 10-yard line.

Quick ruck ball went left and slick hands by Paul Butler, Danny Horne and Thomas eventually saw the ball find winger Watt.

Watt beat his man on the outside and then stepped inside two covering defenders for the score beneath the posts.

Fly-half Andrew Tarsey added the two points.

The visitors began to control the game and soon added a second try.

Tarsey put up the high ball and with him and winger Mountain chasing, they tackled the winger and turned over possession.

With the defence in disarray, scrum-half Ben Gillett exploited the blindside to put full-back Thomas away for the score.

The Welshmen combined moments later in similar fashion. Tarsey again followed up the kick ahead and applied the pressure to again turnover the ball. Gillett fed Thomas on the blindside and he crossed for his second try before the half-time whistle sounded.

Datchworth were perhaps guilty of complacency as they switched off at the beginning of the second half and allowed OV's to score a well-taken try.

Datchworth began to get their act together and added their fourth try as the forwards put the pressure on at a five-metre scrum to pinch it against the head for number eight Jamie Sinclair to touchdown at the base of the scrum.

Tarsey added two penalties before a fifth try was added. Ruffle burst through some weak tackling in midfield to touchdown between the posts.

The win was rounded off in the dying seconds as prop Allan Leggetter scored his third try in three games, running in from 40 yards out.