Crows test Datchworth but ultimately fall short.

Following a tough home game against top of the league London Welsh, Royston Men’s 1st XV made the short trip south to face 2nd in the league Datchworth. The Crows side contained a number of youngsters as Royston looked to transition players, from their well-established colts, into the adult game.
Datchworth were the first team to put points on the board, capitalising from a Royston error that allowed them to dash of the try line within the first five minutes of the game, giving them a 5-0 lead.
Royston did not back away from the game following this early try, looking to play their own game and use the pace they had in the backs. Royston’s first points came a well-placed grubber kick by Euan Rees was snatched up by Will Dacey, who darted over the line. Dacey then kicked the conversion to give the Crows a 2 point lead.
Datchworth picked up two tries in fairly quick succession, using the strength in their pack to create a gap to break through for their second try. The home side’s third then came as a penalty deep in the Royston half allowed the Datchworth forwards to rumble over the line for another try, giving them a 15-7 lead.
Fly half Will Cottrell led Royston’s resurgence as nimble footwork and a series of well-timed off-loads put him over in the corner taking the score to 15-12. Within minutes of the re-start, Dan Ritsema made a blinding run down the wing, offloading and then supporting runners, picking up another try for Royston that was converted by Dacey.
Datchworth again countered playing to their strengths and winning a scrum 5 yards from the try line. The engine room of the Datchworth side then really showed their power, driving the scrum over the Royston line for another try, taking the score to 20-19.
In the final play of the first 40 minutes, Royston were awarded a penalty just inside Datchworth half, despite the distance, Will Dacey times the kick beautifully to give Royston a 2 point lead when the whistle was blow.
The second half saw Datchworth using their forwards to trudge up the field, Royston struggled to defend against the heavier pack and the home side were rewarded with two early second half tries, giving them a 10 point lead over the Crows and taking the score to 32-22.
Despite the widening gap, Royston once again found their step, playing an offload game that saw space open up on the fringes and allowed Euan Rees to break away, keeping Royston in the game and taking the score to 32-27. Unfortunately for the Crow’s the final result was sealed when Datchworth snatched up a loose pass and darted for the try line, stopping a Royston counter-attack and picking up further points. The final score of 44-29 left Royston disappointed, however a great promise was shown throughout the game with Datchworth bring forced to work hard until the final whistle.