Sat 5 Oct 2019
Funny old game is rugby. After the heroics of last weeks away match at Chiswick, Legends came down to earth with a real bump against a workmanlike Datchworth outfit who played as a team and after 30 minutes realised it would not and should not be one way traffic for the home side. Once again Letchworth managed to get on the wrong side of the referee with a humongous penalty count and it can be no coincidence that this has happened every game this season.
But then it all started so well for Legends. Plenty of possession and territory despite the blip of a Datchworth missed penalty meant a good early strike for Waters to nudge Letchworth into a 3/0 lead. A great move which saw flying winger Gurure caught just short saw recycled ball through Waters and Jordan Davies to produce an over flip pass for Dan Denoojier to run onto and score an unconverted try. Minutes later a fine chip by Chris Gibb was gathered by Davies with the hint of a knock forward but the fly-half raced in under the posts and Waters converted to make it 15/0.
At this point it was how soon would Letchworth get their bonus point try but in fairness to the Villagers they had other ideas and the next 10 minutes were spent down at the Letchworth end. After well maintained possession the bulky forwards drove over to make it 15/5 and with the conversion 15/7 at half-time with the away side pressing hard.
Legends took the initiative after the break but sloppy handling and errant passing meant that they could not cross the line. Then a succession of penalties saw Datchworth into the red zone and a great drive by their forwards made it 15/14. Inexplicably Letchworth’s biggest was off the field when he was much needed to keep out this drive which had almost no resistance from the home pack. Letchworth were stung by this score but instead of using the tried and trusted slope and wind to pin Datchworth in their own 22 they decided to try and play Barbarians rugby without the skill and flair to do so. To donate one intercept try is maybe unfortunate but to donate two in the space of five minutes is downright careless. Datchworth could not believe their luck as twice they ran nearly the length of the pitch for two scores and now led 26/15.
They had a further opportunity to extend their lead when the referee marched ten metres toward the Letchworth posts following some verbals but the kick narrowly missed. In fairness the home side never gave up but it was just that finding themselves in this unlikely position the Datchworth lads were not going to surrender this lead easily. Eventually Letchworth pressure saw Johnny Brain crash over for a try which was then converted and then in the last few minutes the home side pounded the visitors line but to no avail and in fairness Datchworth were worthy winners when the whistle was blown.
In the bar afterwards even the referee was quite amazed by the tactics adopted by Letchworth in the second half which should give Dave Hynard and his protracted coaching staff a few things to think about before the cup match next week against Saffron Walden. There is definitely talent in this side if not a lot of common sense.
Team from 1
Robinson
Cullen
Stokes
Brain
Schoenman
Hatch
Charlier
Flatman ( C)
Gibbs
Davies Jord
Anthony
Denoojier
Johal Aman
Gurure
Waters
Jones
Alison
Davies Josh
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