So Close, Yet So Far

Having enjoyed incredible weather for the opening month of the season, both sides found themselves playing the opening 40 minutes in the unfamiliar conditions of a torrential downpour. This inevitably led to numerous scrums, where Watford had the upper hand. Unfortunately the same could not be said of the lineout, where the absence of the home teams two regular first choice hookers along with their two main jumpers was keenly felt.

East London’s game plan was clear from the outset – use the big boot of their fly half to keep Watford pinned back in their own half, and trust the tricky weather conditions to contribute to mistakes by the home side. The Watford back three coped admirably with the aerial bombardment, winger Stuart Mainwaring in particular proving more than adept with the pressure and conditions.

With 20 minutes gone, Watford opened the scoring. After a break by Andy Lee, Tom McGee reversed play and passed to prop Luke Bees on the blindside. Bees squared up his man before offloading to captain Martin Lee who showed good strength to force his way over in the corner. Extras were missed, 5-0 Watford.

The remainder of the half was a case of East London’s attack trying to break down a dogged Watford defence. The visitors enjoyed the majority of territory and possession, and eventually scored a converted try to take the lead. At the last play of the half, Watford were guilty of straying offside and a penalty was added to give East London a 10-5 lead at the interval.

With the weather clearing up for the second half, both teams attempted to keep the ball in hand more often. This led to a much more enjoyable and open game. Watford soon levelled, Luke Hammill breaking through before being halted by an excellent tap tackle by the East London full back. Fortunately the flanker was not held, and he was able to get up and score to bring the home team back level. With the extras missed, the game was on a knife edge for the remaining 20 minutes.

East London came back strongly, attempting to use their forwards to smash their way over the Watford line. The home team held strong, with some huge hits being put in. Unfortunately, Watford were on the wrong end of some 50/50 calls when it came to the referees interpretation of the lineout, and were never able to get themselves out of their own 22. With 10 minutes left, East London scored a penalty to put themselves back into the lead. Knowing that time was running out, Watford were guilty of overplaying the ball in their own half leading to an East London scrum. From the set piece, the visitors fly half stepped through some desperate Watford tackles to score under the posts, the try being converted for a 20-10 victory. Watford can have no complaints about the result, East London thoroughly deserving their victory.

Despite suffering their first loss of the season, there are plenty of positives to be taken from the game for Watford. The strength in depth of the squad was evident, despite a number of first team regulars being unavailable. The scrum was once more in the ascendancy, and the organisation and commitment shown defensively was highly impressive. It must also be remembered that East London play at a higher level than Watford, and we certainly showed that we would not be out of place amongst such company. All who pulled the shirt on did themselves and the club proud.

Watford 1st XV: Bees, Dunlop, Nelson, Kingsford, Jenkins, Hancock, Hammill, M. Lee, Bennett, McGee, Mainwaring, Kiely, A. Lee, Diston, P. Wilson

Subs: G. Wilson, Cox

Tries: M. Lee, Hammill

Man of the Match: Adam Hancock. Stepped up the first team, and showed incredible heart and determination. Carried and rucked well, whilst making numerous tackles.