Having recorded their first ever away victory over the Twickenham side earlier in the season, Watford were looking to the double and started like men on a mission. Indeed, for the first fifteen minutes Thamesians barely touched the ball as the hosts launched a series of charges into opposition territory.

Watford were dominant at the set piece, the scrum especially destructive as Nelson, Sanchez and Bees proved that size is no substitute for technique – regularly marching Thamesians back and either earning penalties or turning over opposition ball.

A particularly impressive effort at the scrum gave Watford a penalty which was kicked to touch 5 metres out. Unfortunately the hosts usually impeccable lineout was disrupted, and Thamesians were able to clear their lines.

Watford were soon on the attack once more. A disrupted Thamesians lineout was rumbled up the pitch by the Watford pack before being halted short. The visitors were penalised for straying offside, Tom McGee converting a simple three points to give the men in red white and blue a deserved lead.

The visitors came back strongly, countering the Watford power up front by looking to play a more open and expansive game. The Thamesians back three were looking especially threatening any time they got the ball in hand, the home side defending well but unfortunately conceding a penalty for three apiece.

With Watford having the dominant pack but Thamesians looking the more dangerous out wide, the game was proving an intriguing contest until Watford’s flow became disrupted with the sin binning of Luke Hammill. By all accounts (including video) it was hardly worthy of a penalty, let alone a yellow card and whilst player safety is paramount rugby is a contact sport – if hard, legal hits are going to be dealt with by sin binnings then we may as well play tag.

The home side missed Hammill’s work rate in the loose, and with the last play of the game Thamesian’s full back ran a wide arcing line to put his winger in the corner. A well struck conversion gave the visitors a 3-10 lead at half time.

The second half had a similar theme to the first – Watford completely dominant at scrum time, Thamesians looking to use their back line to alleviate pressure and attack out wide. The first score of the half went to the visitors, the winger with a fine finish under pressure in the corner. Unfortunately for Watford second row Jon McClennon was injured attempting to prevent the score, fortunately the extras were missed meaning the score was 3-15.

Knowing the next score would prove crucial, Watford went on the attack. Strong carrying earned them good field position, Bees bundled into touch giving the visitors a throw in 5 metres from their line. Great work from Watford saw the ball disrupted, and after coming close with a number drives scrum half Ian Butcher sniped around the side of the ruck to score Watford’s only try of the afternoon.

The game was reaching heightened levels of intensity, tempers boiling over from both sides and threatening to spoil what had been a great game so far. A Thamesians player was sent to the bin for stamping at the breakdown, however instead of capitalising Watford soon gave away a penalty of their own in front of the posts to allow Thamesians to pull away further. Score 8-18.

Whilst it would be easy to point fingers at the referee, who made some puzzling decisions for both sides Watford were simply not at the races and Thamesians scored a deserved third after the hosts were caught short of numbers out wide. Final score Watford 8 vs 23 Thamesians.

Watford have a two week gap before their penultimate game away to promotion chasing London French. Whilst a top six finish shows a good return for a promoted side, Watford can’t rest on their laurels and must continue to push hard for the last couple of games.

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

Subs: G. Wilson, Hancock, Diston

Tries: Butcher

Pens: McGee

Man of the Match: Pete Nelson. One of Watford’s most underrated players. Frequently shows that size is no match for technique at the scrum, completely destroyed his opposite number on Saturday.

WotW: Richard Yates. Went to catch a high ball. Caught it with his face.