The form book counts for nothing in local derbies, particularly when Welwyn travel to Datchworth where they have come unstuck on many occasions in the past. This year’s game was as fiercely contested as ever, with Welwyn just managing to get their noses in front with a try straight after half time which proved to be the final score of the match. Welwyn can thank No 8, Ollie Di-Lieto, who started the game in place of the absent Dan Webb and scored all three of Welwyn’s tries, with three conversions added by Rory Harcourt.

On a damp and bitterly cold December afternoon, Welwyn tried to force the game too often in the first half, and speculative passes and offloads ended up gifting Datchworth free possession. Whatever was said at half time clearly worked, as their game was much tighter in the second period. Much to the joy of their travelling supporters, Welwyn were first on the score board after fifteen minutes. A clean break by Chris Sloan set up a good field position and the ball was kicked into space behind the Datchworth defence. Di-Lieto pounced on the loose ball to score out wide and a fine conversion by Rory Harcourt took the visitors into an early 7-0 lead.

Datchworth narrowed the gap to 3-7 with a well-stuck penalty after 20 minutes. Minutes later, Dave Wells was tip tackled and was forced off the field, with the Datchworth tackler spending 10 minutes in the sin bin for his troubles. Datchworth then took the lead with a try out wide, with the visitors seeming to stop, waiting for a knock-on decision from the referee which never came. A fine conversion took Datchworth ahead at 10-7. Datchworth extended their lead with only two minutes of the first half remaining. Playing with the benefit of a penalty advantage, Datchworth kicked speculatively to the left and the ball was gathered by their fly-half who scored out wide to put the home team ahead at 15-7.

Welwyn’s next two tries came either side of half time and proved to be the decisive and final scores of the match. Just before half time, Welwyn kept control of the ball through several phases and were rewarded when Di-Lieto crossed for his second try. Harcourt again added the extras. Straight after the break, Yourgos Alexander took a trademark quick tap penalty and the ball was kicked ahead into space. Di-Lieto reacted quickly, regathering the ball and charging into the corner aided by a robust hand-off on the last defender. Harcourt converted to give Welwyn a six point lead at 15-21 and so it remained for the final 39 minutes of the match, despite plenty of effort from both teams. Alexander spent 10 minutes in the bin for inappropriate advice to the referee and should thank his colleagues that they were able to keep Datchworth out during their period of numerical superiority.

Welwyn remain third in the league going into the Christmas break, just two points behind joint leaders Grasshoppers and Verulamians. They resume their league campaign with a home match against St Albans on 6th January.