With only one point separating the teams in the reverse fixture, a close game was expected and those who braved the windy conditions on the sidelines weren’t disappointed. Watford banished their traditional slow start blues and were the dominant side for the first ten minutes. The home sides forwards were in dominant form, making good ground with the ball in hand and exhibiting impressive physicality at the breakdown. The good work was rewarded with an attacking lineout, the men in red white and blue aiming to set up a rolling maul which was pulled down at source. From the subsequent ruck, scrum half Ollie Hopkins found Martin Lee running a hard line around the fringe to crash through and score the opening try. Captain Lee soon added his second, a fine pass from Simon Bram finding him on the wing to dot down from close range.

Watford unfortunately took their eye off the ball, forgetting how dangerous Sarries could be when allowed to play. A fine sweeping move saw the away side reply with a try in the corner, on a tough day for kickers the extras were missed making the score 10-5.

With time running out in the half, Watford went on the attack once more. The forwards were once more impressive in their carrying, and after numerous phases the ball was worked wide to Gary Wilson who crashed over from close range. Half time score 15-5 to Watford.

Needing one more try to secure a well deserved bonus point, the home side knew they couldn’t afford to let up in the second half. Saracens came into the game more, however they found no joy in attack. Centres Paul Dunlop and Ian Butcher proved as effective without the ball as they had with it, both making some fine tackles to halt Saracens on the gainline. Unfortunately a Watford fumble gave the visitors possession, and an opportunist try was scored to bring Sarries within 5.

Watford upped their defence from the restart, James Powell stepping up and making a huge number of tackles in what was a man of the match performance. A turnover was won on half way, the ball quickly being worked to winger Richard Yates. Continuing his fine form from the previous week, Yates showed excellent footwork and searing pace to leave defenders trailing in his wake to score a subline solo effort and secure the all important bonus point.

With Watford seemingly home and dry, Saracens were given a lifeline when Gary Wilson was sent to the sin bin for what was deemed to be a deliberate knock on in Watford’s 22. The resulting penalty was kicked to touch, Saracens making the most of their one man advantage to score through a rolling maul.

With the game in the balance, Watford reverted to basics and were unlucky not to score after strong work from prop JR Greyling saw him halted just short. Cynical play at the breakdown earned Watford a penalty, which was converted for 23-15. With time almost up on Wilson’s binning, Sarries scored another try to put them within three points of the home team.

Despite having their full compliment of players back on the pitch, Watford were unable to get their hands on the ball. Finding no joy in attacking tight, Sarries looked to bring their back three into play and attempted to work the ball wide. Unfortunately for them, Yates pounced in the middle of the park to intercept on Watford’s 10 metre line. The Saracens defence (and indeed Yates’s team mates) had no chance of catching the flying winger who scored under the posts, conversion added for 30 – 20 to Watford with under 5 minutes remaining.

Frustratingly for Watford, some sloppy decision making and rag tag defence allowed Saracens a consolation score and losing bonus point somewhat putting a dampener on what had otherwise been an encouraging display.

Whilst the improvement in the squad was evident for all to see, there is still much to be done if Watford are to continue to pick up points in their remaining three matches.

Watford 1st XV: Greyling, G. Wilson, Nelson, Kingsford, Powell, Hancock, Hammill, M. Lee, Hopkins, Bram, Yates, Butcher, Dunlop, Mainwaring, P. Wilson

Subs: Bees, McClennon, Diston

Tries: M. Lee x 2, Yates x 2, G. Wilson

Cons: Dunlop

Pens: Dunlop

MotM: James Powell. Another fine performance, able to disrupt a strong Sarries lineout and exhibited immense work rate in both attack and defence. A real talisman for WRFC.

WotW: Gary Wilson. Given a 10 min breather for attempting to ‘catch’ the ball one handed. On for the hat trick next week, might offer to buy him a pint before the game to stop him doing something else stupid!