Back
Sat 17 Sep 2016 ·  Merit Table 7 NE
Datchworth 3rd
Abbots
18
10
Datchworth again!
Mark Smith26 Oct 2016 - 16:00
Share via
A return to Datchworth RFC
Once upon a time in a field in Hertfordshire there were 19 might Abbotts on journey to Datchworth RFC, They were returning to the field where last year 5 points separated them from victory. This year their captain once again wore the legendary suit of 9. And by God he was useless, again!
We (Rajah every time) received the ball from the kick off and instantly made our intention felt, we went in hard and moved the ball around nicely. A rugby game ensued.
Datchworth obviously been training in pubs and curry houses around the lands as their advantage in the scrum was evident, they were not met in size like our previous meeting and won practically every scrum.....even the prop had a go at kicking the ball out in a scrum (is that legal?).
They were first to cross the line and get the first strike, although painful not deadly. More rugby, more big thumps and big hits and even more scrums.... Line outs were put under a magic spell because they seemed to wobble in the air, even when Datchworth benefitted from our throw in the ball still managed to go forward.
At one point our scrum half actually passed it to the fly half, which passed it back to the scrum half, dangerous move yes but this led to the twinkle-toe centre (Edd Jones) running around and through Datchworth midfield and returning the earlier blow.
They kept on their attack but really good defence held them at bay, great tackling by all, especially from the one known as the Doolinator, thumping low tackles reduced the attacking player to fairy dust.
We swapped around positions in the scrum, went for a big push got it back to our Rajah and woke our dragon up....then he broke his knee cap.
We're all working the ball, defending our attacking line, the handsome and elegant Diddy receives the ball, makes a run through the centres/forwards and a few other mythical creatures to be caught 10m from their line, a floating pass over their heads to the Abbotts Captain (me) which actually caught it and the fight continues, over the line and down with a crash of a thousand falling trees, a try was allowed.... There must be magic in the air.
We conceded one more penalty making the score at half time 8 - 10 to us
We swapped sides and had the advantage of the rolling hills and The Bright shining ball in the sky. However we failed to use it to its full potential.
Datchworth knew they were stronger in the scrum, (having earlier refused to go uncontested) were pushing 10m off our line, the scrum half put the ball in and the prop kicked it back out, from this they run off on the blind side and their centre aimed for our winger, although a sterling attempt by the rookie the player went over and another blow received. 13-10
We continue to fight and some more great runs, but more forward passing and more line outs (the spell hasn't worn off) lost. After another broken and bridged breakdown they quickly win the ball and spread across their backs where they score yet another try... We haven't given up and we won't until the HMMT God in yellow has blown his mighty whistle.
With less than 3 minutes to go we get a energetic run and push their defence to within 5m of their line, we work along our lines well but let ourselves down at the breakdown, their biggest player turns over the ball and we lose momentum. They kept it close and watched the sand trickle through the 1:20h glass to the final whistle.
The last encounter nearly decapitated the Greek bruv and thanks to Sam Lillywhite for her first aid skills. He walked off having lost a few brief moments of his life and slightly dizzy, back to normal basically.
We walk off with heads held high, we fought a big bunch of experienced rugby players, aggressive and strong.. With a right 9 and an experienced scrum this could of been a different ending, however this time their Dragon won. Well done to all that played, special mention to Cameron on his first senior game & welcome to the Abbots Dave...
Man of the match - Edd Jones, great running, defence and strength in attack.
Dick of the day - George Maskell- Grey, because I knew he'd down the pint faster than anyone else & he agreed to play fly half. (Should of been me).
Thanks to the following:
Charlie Harris for not moaning too often.
Sam Leung & Chris Bruce for giving it a bloody good go.
We (Rajah every time) received the ball from the kick off and instantly made our intention felt, we went in hard and moved the ball around nicely. A rugby game ensued.
Datchworth obviously been training in pubs and curry houses around the lands as their advantage in the scrum was evident, they were not met in size like our previous meeting and won practically every scrum.....even the prop had a go at kicking the ball out in a scrum (is that legal?).
They were first to cross the line and get the first strike, although painful not deadly. More rugby, more big thumps and big hits and even more scrums.... Line outs were put under a magic spell because they seemed to wobble in the air, even when Datchworth benefitted from our throw in the ball still managed to go forward.
At one point our scrum half actually passed it to the fly half, which passed it back to the scrum half, dangerous move yes but this led to the twinkle-toe centre (Edd Jones) running around and through Datchworth midfield and returning the earlier blow.
They kept on their attack but really good defence held them at bay, great tackling by all, especially from the one known as the Doolinator, thumping low tackles reduced the attacking player to fairy dust.
We swapped around positions in the scrum, went for a big push got it back to our Rajah and woke our dragon up....then he broke his knee cap.
We're all working the ball, defending our attacking line, the handsome and elegant Diddy receives the ball, makes a run through the centres/forwards and a few other mythical creatures to be caught 10m from their line, a floating pass over their heads to the Abbotts Captain (me) which actually caught it and the fight continues, over the line and down with a crash of a thousand falling trees, a try was allowed.... There must be magic in the air.
We conceded one more penalty making the score at half time 8 - 10 to us
We swapped sides and had the advantage of the rolling hills and The Bright shining ball in the sky. However we failed to use it to its full potential.
Datchworth knew they were stronger in the scrum, (having earlier refused to go uncontested) were pushing 10m off our line, the scrum half put the ball in and the prop kicked it back out, from this they run off on the blind side and their centre aimed for our winger, although a sterling attempt by the rookie the player went over and another blow received. 13-10
We continue to fight and some more great runs, but more forward passing and more line outs (the spell hasn't worn off) lost. After another broken and bridged breakdown they quickly win the ball and spread across their backs where they score yet another try... We haven't given up and we won't until the HMMT God in yellow has blown his mighty whistle.
With less than 3 minutes to go we get a energetic run and push their defence to within 5m of their line, we work along our lines well but let ourselves down at the breakdown, their biggest player turns over the ball and we lose momentum. They kept it close and watched the sand trickle through the 1:20h glass to the final whistle.
The last encounter nearly decapitated the Greek bruv and thanks to Sam Lillywhite for her first aid skills. He walked off having lost a few brief moments of his life and slightly dizzy, back to normal basically.
We walk off with heads held high, we fought a big bunch of experienced rugby players, aggressive and strong.. With a right 9 and an experienced scrum this could of been a different ending, however this time their Dragon won. Well done to all that played, special mention to Cameron on his first senior game & welcome to the Abbots Dave...
Man of the match - Edd Jones, great running, defence and strength in attack.
Dick of the day - George Maskell- Grey, because I knew he'd down the pint faster than anyone else & he agreed to play fly half. (Should of been me).
Thanks to the following:
Charlie Harris for not moaning too often.
Sam Leung & Chris Bruce for giving it a bloody good go.
Further reading
Team Sponsors
