Villagers wake up too late

THE villagers made a disappointing start and did not wake up until the latter part of game, but it was too late to try and salvage victory. Datchworth did not wake up and show any style and they were 18 points down after conceding two early tries. The gam

THE villagers made a disappointing start and did not wake up until the latter part of game, but it was too late to try and salvage victory.

Datchworth did not wake up and show any style and they were 18 points down after conceding two early tries.

The game continued in the same vein throughout the first half.

This served as a wake-up call and Datchworth changed their game for the better and forged their way back into the match in the second half.

First, full-back Sam Brunton found space to feed winger Steve Vidler, who finished well in the corner. Brunton added the conversion and a further penalty to reduce the arrears.

Another Datchworth score came soon afterwards when James Watt found his way through when a kick upfield from Hamptonians went wrong and was fumbled into his hands. Watt managed to break clear and score under the posts.

The gap was reduced to three pointts with penalty kicks from Tom Wood and another from Brunton and a push-over try from No 8 Owen Davis.

But Hamptonians then stepped up a gear to prevent the villagers claiming victory with a series of penalty kicks.

Datchworth then lost open side flanker Ian Reid after he suffered a blow to the head and this weakened their defence and a final try was conceded with a minute left on the clock.