The weather was grim, but the rugby was great in this rematch of a friendly from the start of the season. The stakes were higher in this cup game, and Fullers rose to the occasion by putting 15 unanswered points on their opposition.
In contrast to some recent games, Fullerians took their chances in this match, passing the ball well between each other in conditions that did not favour fast-paced flowing rugby.
Datchworth were a big team, and it was clear the forwards were going to have their work cut out for them. The first few minutes of the game saw the big guys testing each other out, Datchworth applying good pressure from their kickoff. When a knock-on resulted in a Fullers scrum outside the opponent’s 22, Feasey saw the blindside winger had dropped too deep and decided to go up the short side for a good individual effort in the corner. Fowler couldn’t quite make the difficult conversion and the score was 5-0 after three minutes.
After a lengthy break following an injury to a Datchworth player, there followed a spell of to-and-fro rugby, each side making handling errors in the cold wet conditions that made the game feel fragmented and stopped either side gaining any real momentum.
‘Your ability to win games will be dependent on your willingness to defend as a team,” was something the coaches told the lads before the game started, and they took this on board; tackling like lions. Samuel and Fordham deserve a special mention here, both lads put in some BIG hits on the opposition (tackle of the day must go to Samuel for the savage chop he put in on the giant prop – “Ooooogh,” was heard from those watching on the sidelines).
Ball carrying in the tight was good. Watt, Marsh and Williams all showed they were up for some confrontational up-the-jumper rugby, and Williams almost had a second when he found himself in space, having burst through the opposition line with a good leg drive. An unfortunate knock-on stopped the try, but the Fullers prop would prove to be dangerous throughout the game.
Fullerians continued to get on top of their opposition, making good metres with patient play by both the forwards and the backs. Richard-Price and Finnegan moved the ball intelligently, probing the defence with attacks and building the pressure. Twice Porter might have got through except for a couple of good last-ditch tackles, but with eight minutes to go in the half, Fowler made a great break from a Finnegan pass, fixed his man and fed Harrison who went over for the second. Good, intelligent rugby. 10-0
The second half saw Fullers empty the bench, and the subs all made a great showing of themselves. The forwards continued to win good ball, providing the backs with the means to attack, and a few minutes in Fowler made another good break, using pace and power to get over the line only for the ref to judge it lost forward.
The lineout worked well throughout the game. Wright’s throw-ins were accurate, and he often found a perfect partner in Williamson who competed well on both his own, and opposition ball. Samuel Snr would have been proud.
Despite a few good sorties into Fullerian’s territory, the quality of tackling by the home team was good enough that Datchworth never really looked like scoring. When Fullers got a scrum ten metres out from the opposition tryline, Higgins (closely supported by both flankers) put the final score on the board with a nice pick-and-go from the back.
Final score: 15-0. Fullerians go through to the next round of the competition.
Tries: Feasey, Harrison, Higgins.
Convs: None
TEAM: FINNEGAN ©, FEASEY, FORDHAM, FOWLER, GRAY, HARRISON, HIGGINS, HILL, HODGMANADAM, HOWIE, MARSH, PORTER, RICHARD-PRICE, SAMUEL, WATT, WILLIAMS, WILLIAMSON, WRIGHT.

MOTMS: Williams & Richard-Price