Despite a much-improved performance on the previous Saturday’s disappointing effort at Finchley, Datchworth were ultimately outplayed by high-flying Old Streetonians, losing 48-20 at home.

The Men in Green started brightly and aggressively, tackling hard and rucking well, and James Wilson kicked them into an early 3-0 lead.

However, they would only get another three points for their first-half efforts as the Londoners turned round 27-6 ahead.

For the most part the hosts were equal in the scrums and line-outs and defended stoutly but two excellent converted tries give Old Street a base.

And they showed their competent and ruthless streak time and time again to find holes in the Datchworth defensive line and secure the bonus point by the break.

Datchworth gave a much better account of themselves in the second half, scoring two excellent converted tries of their own.

The first of these was started by a great break from prop Will Williams, in fine form before departing for a three-month sheep-shearing stint in New Zealand, and finished by the electric pace of Wilson.

But these were matched by two more tries from Streetonians, determined not to let Datchworth back into the game.

The Men in Green had a number of try-scoring opportunities in the second half but some sloppy passing and handling let these chances slip away.

Nevertheless, they will take heart from a gutsy performance against a very skilful team. 

A spokesman for the club said: "Young second-row forward Connor Harris, the man of the match against Finchley, had another outstanding game but was beaten to the man of the match award this week by even younger Ollie Barnes who tackled very well and made some bullocking runs, at times taking several opposition defenders with him.

"It was good to have inside centre Mark Livesey back and James Wilson had another excellent match, scoring 15 of his team's 20 points."