Hackney win at Datchworth to go second in the league

Hackney are up to second in London North West Division Three after sealing a 15-8 win at Datchworth.

The Griffins were keen to follow up last week’s dominant win over Wasps, and tries from Mike Ward and Andy Pilkington helped them overcome the elements against their fellow promotion chasers.

The home side were dominant in the scrum from the very first engagement, and it was Datchworth who deserved ly scored the game’s opening try out wide after putting the visitors under immediate pressure.

Aware of the strong start his opponents had made, Hackney captain Will Bowers stayed deep to collect from the re-start kick and made several yards against the Datchworth chasers to get Hackney on the front foot.

The reaction seemed to galvanise the Hackney forwards, who carried the ball well and maintained possession before forcing a penalty in front of the Datchworth posts, which was duly slotted by Alex O’Hara.

Datchworth, however, renewed their five-point advantage with another penalty, but the Griffins were not to be subdued.

As dominant in the line out as Datchworth were in the scrum, Hackney utilised their possession to good effect and just before half-time, open side flanker Ward dived round the side of a ruck to dot down making the score 8-8 going into the interval.

The second period was one of mostly Hackney dominance, including an 18-phase battering of the Datchworth try line which the home side did well to repel.

A second score was, however, seemingly inevitable as front row Pilkington again pushed through the soft flank of a ruck to bundle over and give Hackney the advantage for the first time in the game.

And the east Londoners held on against a late push from Datchworth in the final minutes to secure an important victory in difficult conditions.