Off to a good start!!

Finchley started the match well putting early pressure on the opposition with Datchworth finding it hard to get out of their half for the first 20 minutes. It soon became apparent that Finchley had some dominance in the scrum and if there backs could get enough ball they could punish the Datchworth team.

The early Finchley pressure led to the first score of the game a penalty from the returning Dave Earl, 3-0 Finchley.

Following this Datchworth put some pressure back on Finchley but a robust effort in defence from the men in red and white made sure that the visitors did not come away with any points. Following this some good play by Man of the Match Jon Ferriday got Finchley within a few yards of the line, an attempted off load from Ferriday then ricocheted off a Datchworth player for Dan Young to collect and score underneath the posts, Earl converted 10-0.

Finchley then finished the half in fine style with Tom McAuliffe bagging another try just before the half time whistle was blown, making the score at half time 17-0.

Finchley started the 2nd half where they left off in the first with the pack making some great runs allowing Ferriday to get quick ball to the dominant Finchley backs. This resulted in an early second half score for James Clarke after some fine work back the back three of Jamie Hartnoll, Padraig Lynch and Inigo Saxon-Stone, all 3 using their pace and evasion skills to put the Finchley 10 over for the home sides 3rd score of the day, 24-0

An all to familiar scene then followed where Finchley allowed their opposition back into the game making some basic errors that led Datchworth to get their first score of the day, 24-5.

What was pleasing for both players and onlookers alike was the reaction that followed from the home team, who for the next 20 minutes played some brilliant attacking rugby that put the game beyond the reach of Datchworth and also sealed a bonus point win.

Finchley forwards and backs played as a cohesive and well drilled unit in this period and this purple patch included captain Aleks McCarthy-Rechowicz, Jamie Lynch and Will Eaton all crossing the whitewash Clarke kicking 2 out of the 3 conversions to make the score 41-5 with 5 minutes remaining.

Although Finchley conceded a late try and conversion to the visitors by this point the fixture was well and truly won.

Final score 41-12

This was a very pleasing performance by the men in red and white and has laid down a good marker for the season to come but both players and coaching staff alike know that there will be tougher tests ahead. The first of these is away this weekend to Belsize Park who also managed to accumulate +40 points at the weekend.

Finchley will be looking to push on from a great start to the season and make it 2 wins from 2.