Rugby Union: Welwyn beat Datchworth 31-8 away in derby

They won 31-8 in the Counties One Herts Middlesex clash at Datchworth Green, claiming their third win of the campaign.

And it was the result and showing they have been threatening to deliver for some weeks according to head coach Gareth Hughes.

"It’s been coming over the last few weeks," he said. "We've played some really good stuff, especially defensively and physically. 

"We held up really well against Brunel University last week and it just needed a bit of a tweak here. 

"And the guys were outstanding. We dominated in the loose, we dominated on the floor and we dominated in the set piece. 

"And we've played some really good rugby at the same time. 

"It's been a tough few weeks for the lads but they've all stuck together and we've trained well. 

"And it's a derby and everyone wants to win a derby." 

Datchworth take a line-out against Welwyn. (Image: Neil Metcalfe) The game had began poorly for the Hobbs Way rugby club though, conceding a penalty with two minutes on the clock.

However, they were back in front immediately from the kick-off, skipper Josh Milton stealing in to win the ball, bounce away a few would-be tacklers and find the corner.

But the frantic start continued when the Men in Green went back in front on 12 minutes.

It all came from a quick break led by centres Connor Sullivan and Ollie Barnes and when they were stopped, the ball was spun wide to Spencer Bayford to go in on the left wing.

The conversion was missed but the act of scoring brought a yellow card for Welwyn scrum half, Kai Wells.

Remarkably through, the 10-minute spell actually saw Welwyn take a firm grip of the game.

First Milton grabbed his second after a spell of pressure and then a kick from the home try-line was charged down and Tom Laing pounced on the loose ball.

Both kicks were converted by AB Makoni but he was not needed mere minutes after Welwyn were back to 15, a penalty try awarded as the visitors seemed to be going in at the right corner.

That brought a yellow card for Datchworth but there would be no more scoring in the half and only one more try for the remainder of the game.

That came 17 minutes after the interval, Vetaia Kawea scoring Welwyn's fifth of the contest.

Welwyn build an attack from a ruck against Datchworth. (Image: Neil Metcalfe) The result means Welwyn move up one place to eighth while Datchworth remain winless and bottom of the table.

But this was also a counting game in the Herts President Tankard, a competition Welwyn won last year.

And they have their eye on winning that again.

"There's going to be a tough few games to come," admitted Hughes. "We've got Hitchin in a couple of weeks and then we go to [Fullerians] so we know it's going to be tough. 

"But this was a good step."

There was some darker news for Welwyn with injuries to both Harry Slade and Makoni, but they did at least have the delight of seeing Chris Kemp back after a year out.

Hughes said: "Harry Slade looks like he’s dislocated his shoulder so I think he could be out for a few weeks and AB Makoni may have concussion, so that’s put a bit of a downer on it. 

"But the massive thing is Kempy. He’s been fantastic, he’s been out for nearly a year with a really bad ankle break. 

"But he's been at the club every Tuesday and Thursday and he’s been there on a Saturday to gee the lads up. 

"From a leadership point of view, he's been fantastic and to give him 30 minutes was just the icing on the cake."