A very tough month for Watford had started slightly anti-climatically the week earlier after Quintin forfeited their league fixture. However, this was more than made up for in a game of two completely different halves on Saturday. On a day in which the weather conditions very much played their part, Verulamians won the toss and elected to play with the strong wind behind them in the first half. The tactic appeared to backfire when Watford took the lead within the first five minutes. Having won possession, a series of tight drives took the home side into the opposition half before the direction of play was reversed. Winger Richard Yates was released to fly up the wing, being halted by an excellent tackle from the visitors full back. As he was driven towards the touchline Yates was able to pass the ball inside to James Powell, rewarded for great support with a simple finish in the corner.

If Verulamians were shocked at finding themselves behind, they didn’t show it and went on the attack immediately from the restart. A Watford fumble gave the visitors a scrum just outside the home teams 22. In a pre planned move, the visitors 8 picked and ran blind, drawing the Watford back row before releasing their winger to score in the corner. This was followed with almost a carbon copy score 5 minutes later, the conversion added to put Watford 12-5 down.

Verulamians were enjoying the majority of territory and possession, and were cleverly using the wind to keep Watford pinned back in their own 22 meaning that any ball they did have was in their own danger zone. The home side were eventually able to work their way into the opposition half, Adam Hancock quickly off the back of an opposition to scrum to force a penalty which was duly converted by Tom McGee.

Unfortunately these were Watford’s last points of the half. With Watford’s kicking game nullified in the face of a strong wind, their inability to gain any possession within the visitors half took it’s toll. A penalty for not rolling away took V’s to 15 points, swiftly followed by another well worked try. The home side were on the ropes, Verulamians almost scoring from a driven lineout which was halted just short of the line. Unfortunately, pressure told and having stopped the initial threat Watford’s fringe defence was caught napping allowing the visitors to score. Half time, Watford 8 Verulamians 29.

Despite being 21 points down against a side one league above, there was no panic from Watford at half time. The team still felt relatively fresh, and knew that they would have the strong wind behind them in the second half. Roared on by a large and vocal home support, it was all still to play for.

Watford were a changed team for the second 40. The accuracy and control which had sometimes been missing in the first period were in full force, intelligent kicking from Simon Bram and Tom McGee ensuring Verulamians were forced into their own territory with increasing regularity. With the ball in hand the home sides pack were starting to make significant inroads into V’s defence, eventually forcing a penalty which was drilled into the corner. From the subsequent lineout Martin Lee crossed for a trademark score, conversion from McGee bringing the score to 15-29.

Verulamians were on the ropes, forced to run the ball now that the wind was against them. Watford matched them physically, meeting V’s runners at the gain line and often forcing them back beyond it. Man of the match Simon Bram was particularly effective defensively, exhibiting great commitment and physicality in the tackle. A strong Watford counter ruck won them a penalty in Verulamians 22, Tom McGee converting for 29-18. The aggressive Watford defence continued, eventually forcing turnover ball and the home side swiftly countered. After numerous phases the ball was worked wide to skipper Martin Lee, a sublime offload out of contact releasing Ian Butcher to score under the posts. McGee’s kicking boots were on, extras added to make the score 25-29.

With time running out, Watford showed great control and patience. A series of drives once more pulled V’s defence in tight, the ball then being worked through the hands to winger Paul Wilson who passed inside to the supporting Paul Dunlop to score in the corner. The extras were just missed, Watford having overturned a 21 point deficit to find themselves one point up with 10 minutes to play.

Facing defeat, Verulamians upped their game and were able to string together numerous phases in the home sides half. Heroic Watford defending kept them at bay, Tom McGee and Luke Hammill both making telling contributions when a try looked likely. With time ticking out, the visitors were awarded a scrum in the middle of the park just inside Watford’s 22. The home side drove V’s backwards, the scrum collapsing as Watford pushed forward. With the sidelines celebrating what they assumed would be a Watford penalty, the referee raised his arm in V’s favour to quickly silence the Watford fans. Verulamians kicker showed nerves of steel to slot the points, Watford now two points down with 7 minutes to play.

Watford sides of the last few years would possibly have capitulated after such a blow, but after their heroic efforts to get themselves in front defeat was not an option for the men in red, white and blue. The intensity of the game reached new levels, both sides weary having spent such long periods of the match defending. V’s hammered the ball downfield in an attempt to keep Watford away from their posts, and with time running out the home side launched one more valiant attack. The ball was painstakingly driven upfield, Watford players grinding out metre after metre as they edged towards the opposition posts. The pressure eventually told, a V’s infringement giving Tom McGee the chance to put Watford back in front. McGee made no mistake, the ball dissecting the uprights to put Watford one point ahead with under five minutes to play.

The final few minutes were agony for both players and supporters, as the home side looked to wear the clock down. Verulamians were flying into the breakdown with great numbers and physicality in an attempt to win the ball back, but Watford held firm. With the clock on zero, the referee blew for full time to give Watford a famous win.

Watford skipper Martin Lee was ecstatic after the game. ‘We didn’t do ourselves justice in the first half, and in all honesty were lucky not to concede more points. That said, the whole team displayed incredible heart, and showed just why we are a side to be reckoned with this year. We want to be playing teams of the calibre of Verulamians on a regular basis, and I think today we showed that we belong in such company’.

Watford 1st XV: Bees, Philpott, Nelson, Kingsford, Powell, Hancock, Hammill, M. Lee, Hopkins, Bram, Yates, Butcher, Dunlop, McClennon, McGee

Subs: G. Wilson, Jenkins, P. Wilson

Tries: Powell, M. Lee, Butcher, Dunlop

Cons: McGee x 2

Pens: McGee x 2

Man of the Match: Simon Bram. Showed excellent control and game management, especially when playing with the wind in the second half. One of Watford’s most prominent defenders, made frequent big hits from fly half to galvanise team.