U12s v Datchworth & Welwyn

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Thanks to Mike for the match report and reminiscences.

It was always going to be a tough morning with several key players away on holiday or with exotic excuses such as damaged finger ligaments, dislocated collarbone, broken toe or a bizarre collision with a hockey stick! It was therefore good to see the rest of the squad rise to the occasion and work so well together as a team.

At OA’s, when it was announced where we were playing the following weekend, it was probably not the best time for your scribe to admit to many happy years scampering around the Villager’s muddy sloping pitches, with mates such as Smudger, Grissy, and TJ. Hey, there’s a thought, lets make up some fancy names for ourselves, Armadillo, Pea-pod, anything you like and put them on our shirts – you heard it here first………

One of the joys of playing Datchworth is that your Bard’s ever admiring son can see his old man in the Extra B’s team photo circa 1989. Notwithstanding the “Not again Dad” comment, search we did, only to find the picture missing, gone for good, or more likely adding some background colour to the Oscars.

Pardon ? You want to hear about the games? I’m enjoying myself, but if I must….

Hitchin v Datchworth Drew 14 – 14
Tries: Euan, Henry. Conv: George (2)

The last time we played Datch was in the Letchworth Festival which Hitchin won 14 – 7. With half a season under our belts but shorn by injuries it was a chance for others to step up and to see how the opposition had progressed.

With Hitchin kicking off, Jonathan, one of the new breed, set up a great position with his strong running and the Hitchin scrum, with the ever improving Ashley in the engine room with Adrian, motored Datchworth back on their put in. When Datch did kick ahead Callum, son of old “Lemon” was secure, running the ball out of defence and linking with Hannah and Henry. Hitchin were on a roll and looking good but a short range scrum enabled Datch to open the scoring, their man breaking through two tackles. This wake up call saw George and Bryony combining to secure the ball from the maul, from which James demonstrated his stronger and quicker pass to put Euan in at the corner, with George earning the extra two points. With the score level Datch put in a sustained drive only to be thwarted by the first of many great tackles by Euan on the day. As the half closed we saw Adrian ripping the ball clear and from an Ashley drive the ball went to Henry who weaved over to put Hitchin in the lead at half time, 14 – 7, with the successful conversion.

The second half started with a soft try to Datchworth which evened the scores and led to a frantic and exciting half of end to end rugby. The scrum were doing well but we were loose in the rucks, although Michael Fowler and Erik were prominent. With neither side dominating a draw was the fair result, although without George’s great cover tackle in the last seconds it would have been a different story.

Hitchin v Welwyn Lost 0 – 21

Despite the score line this was a fantastic game to watch and the Hitchin team let no-one down, and here the pack have the plaudits, standing up to a much bigger set of forwards who their coaches were keen to tell us would dominate. Well they didn’t win a scrum on our put-in and once we had their measure, didn’t push us back. The props are the key to defensive scummaging so stand up William, Erik, and Micheal, who, with Bryony, dug in, did the hard work and were not bettered. We even found out what it takes to wind up William who had a super-charged second half.

Okay they were physically stronger, but take heart from Euan and Bobby’s great tackling, Ashley’s spirit and the ceaseless running of Hannah, Henry and Euan - next time we meet Welwyn we can but improve.

As Mick Fody, a veteran Datch colleague of yours truly, always said “Rugby – it’s all in the mind” – well he didn’t quite say it like that but the message was clear, the ability to win games starts with you as a team, not with how big or grand the oppo are.

Let’s get to training and set some targets for winning more than we lose for the rest of the season.

And finally……a little Datchworth tale from more than a while ago.

Whilst playing Old Ashmoleans at their place the first line out descended into a blur of fisticuffs and handbags. Your scribe’s Missus never missed a game and exhorted her boys on from the sidelines. When the next line out formed the largest and ugliest of the Ash’s pack asked, in best baritone, “Who’s the gobby tart then !” Well the shock and outrage you can imagine, with the Rambos amongst you wondering how the honour of her indoors was to be saved. All that can be said is that being totally knackered and with hands on knees the only thought that came to mind was “You don’t know how right you are mate…..”

For those going to the Odd Shaped Ball – see ya there….

Player of the week: Euan.