Datchworth maintained their unbeaten record Saturday following the trip around the M25 to league newcomers Staines. Datchworth started quickly and were soon 5-0 up, Number 8 Stuart Young managed to touch down from a driving maul. Fly-Half Richard Mills then knocked over two penalties in quick succession to give Datchworth an 11-0 lead. This seemed to kick Staines into action and they came back with two converted tries to take a 14-11 lead. For the first, Staines Inside Centre barrelled through the Datchworth middle to go over under the posts. Datchworth had the ball from the following quick off, though a lose pass from Scrum Half Grant Roe was picked up by Staines and they were in front. There was still time for them to score one more before half time which saw the hosts go in with a 21-11 point lead.

Datchworth knew they had to score first and that they did. Winger Geoff Clapp darted over and that was soon followed by a Mills penalty to bring the score to within 2. It was then over to Datchworth Centre Alex Nolan who managed to run 60 metres unhindered to put Datchworth back in front, this time the conversion was added and Datchworth were up 26-21. Staines hit back to secure their bonus point and retake the lead, another break from the Inside Centre saw the lead go back to 28-26. Datchworth then added their fourth, an impressive driving maul from the lineout set them up well and from the ensuing ruck, Flanker John Scarratt fell over the line to put Datchworth in to the lead for the last time. Mills added the extras and followed up with a fourth penalty and the greens now had victory in sight. Datchworth managed to nab a fifth when Second Row John Simons ran in after a quality team move and Datchworth were up 43-28. With the last play of the game, Staines managed to score a consolation. Scarratt carried the ball across Datchworth’s try line, though was adjudged not to have touched the ball down so Staines ran through and did so. All in all, a comprehensive win for Datchworth which puts them in the top four in the league with three other unbeaten sides.

Saturday sees Datchworth host newly promoted Kilburn Cosmos, 3pm kick off.