Having lost with the last play of the game during the reverse fixture, the men in red were keen to not only gain a measure of revenge finish the league strongly and maintain a home record which had seen them register bonus point wins over all opposition other than undefeated league champions Saracens Amateurs.

At least that was the plan.

Collective amnesia saw the hosts somehow forget one of the fundamentals of rugby, namely that it is a contact game. Too many missed tackles saw Thamesians enjoy the vast majority of possession and territory, Watford indebted to centre and man of the match Sam Holloway who made a number of try saving tackles and turn overs.

Despite finding themselves with their backs against the wall, Watford took the lead after 10 minutes thanks to a well struck penalty from Simon Bram, however this was to be the only bright spot for the home side in the opening 25 minutes.

Thamesians pressure eventually told, a converted score putting them 7-3 up with 25 minutes played.

Fortunately Watford rallied, and despite a few wobbles at the lineout were able to provide a much more solid set piece platform for the back line. Strong breaks from Josh Wilkinson and Holloway made ground, the home side eventually winning a penalty 5 metres from the line. Knowing that their slim chances of promotion required a bonus point, the ball was kicked to the corner.

The subsequent rolling maul was hauled down, Watford again going for the corner. With the penalty count mounting, Thamesians once more infringed giving the referee little option but to give the offender a ten minute breather.

With the opposition a man down, Watford called for the scrum. With the pack inching inexorably closer to the line, the visiting flanker broke and stole the ball just before the line (much to my annoyance) resulting in a penalty try and another man in the bin.

Half time, 10-7 up on the scoreboard and 15-13 up in terms of personnel one would have assumed we would look to break clear after half time. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case, Thamesians retaking the lead almost immediately from the restart *face-palm*.

Thankfully Watford stopped trying to play the all singing / all dancing rugby which had served them well against Haringey and went back to basics. The scrum was now completely dominant, with the lineout and rolling maul also providing a potent weapon. Forwards looked to make the hard yards, the home side eventually scoring through Greg Reeve who was enjoying a fine all round game. This was soon followed by a score from Luke Hammill from 22 yards out, Watford within sniffing distance of a bonus point.

Thamesians players returned to the fray after their stint on the naughty step, the visitors soon coming back into the game and scored themselves a third.

Things were opening up, Watford awarded a scrum just inside the 22. Skipper Martin Lee benefitted from his packs hard work once more, the bonus point in the bag as he picked and drove over. With time nearly up, the home side made sure of maximum points with a well struck penalty from Josh Wilkinson bisecting the posts.

Man of the Match: Sam Holloway. Led by example in the ropey opening 25 minutes. Trademark physicality both with and without the ball, a constant turnover threat at the breakdown. Has enjoyed a fine season.

WOTW: Paul Dunlop. Classic pest behaviour, despite being injured ran off with the tee to the second team pitch.