Defeat in Tankard final but Datchworth will take plenty of confidence into next year

PUBLISHED: 12:13 30 April 2018 | UPDATED: 13:31 30 April 2018

Neil Metcalfe

Tom Wood and Stuart Young celebrate James Watt's second try for Datchworth. Picture: Karyn Haddon

Archant

James Watt celebrates the first of his two tries for Datchworth. Picture: Karyn Haddon

The Datchworth Green-based rugby club had stormed out of the London North West Three relegation zone with three straight wins against some of the league’s big hitters.

Datchworth's Stuart Young is held up by two Hemel Hempstead players. Picture: Karyn Haddon

And even in the Allianz Park showdown against a Camelot side from the league above, the men in green had plenty of moments of superiority.

Tom Blackwell takes the ball forward for Datchworth. Picture: Karyn Haddon

But they were up against a team who were clinical in attack and rock-solid in defence and Gudgin, Datchworth’s skipper, admitted they deserved the win.

Mark Holgate in action for Datchworth. Picture: Karyn Haddon

He said: “I think the score flattered them but they were the better team though and they really came out all guns blazing.

Dylan Rice in action for Datchworth. Picture: Karyn Haddon

“Their fitness prevailed. They’re a big, strong and physical side and they played really well.

Nowhere to go for Datchworth's James Watt against Hemel Hempstead. Picture: Karyn Haddon

“I don’t mind losing to the better team and unfortunately that was the case today.”

Tom Wood in action for Datchworth. Picture: Karyn Haddon

Hemel had raced into a 21-3 lead inside the first quarter, splitting the Datchworth line open to score three converted tries.

Datchworth RFC V Hemel Hempstead. Picture: Karyn Haddon

But James Watt pulled a try back in the corner shortly after and added another in almost the same spot nine minutes later as Datchworth added to an earlier Richard Mills penalty.

Datchworth RFC V Hemel Hempstead - Alex Nolan in action for Datchworth. Picture: Karyn Haddon

They conceded a fourth try just two minutes after the restart but that led to a spell of 20 minutes when they were dominated possession and territory.

They continually battered at the Hemel door but were met by strong tackles each and every time driving them back.

The pressure had to tell though and finally a gap opened dup big enough for Stuart Young to burst through.

Two late penalties and two tries gave the final score a bit of a lop-sided feel but Gudgin said that the performance gave a clue as to their late-season form.

He said: “It’s just clicked. Everything we have been trying to do just came together; it’s just taken too long unfortunately.

“We got a few players back from injury which just made a big difference to us as a team and a club.

“Today we saw what we need to do [next season]. Hopefully we can take that into pre-season and gain confidence from what we’ve got and progress from where we are.”