Having been well beaten by the hosts only a few weeks previously, Watford knew what they were up against and were keen to make amends. Hearing rumours of one of the better clubhouses on the circuit, we arrived early for a nose around. Very nice it was too, if we play there again I highly recommend you all come along and have a look. Everything seemed to be in place… we were on time, well prepared and the warm up had great intensity to it. Captain Hamerica reiterated the importance of the game in terms of our promotion hopes, told us all to take a left turn and then it was onto the field of battle.

On a belter of a pitch, we started strongly. The forwards made the hard yards, Sam and Jack carried strongly in the centres and all was well with the world. As expected, the breakdown was particularly fierce with both sides looking to commit numbers in an attempt to disrupt the opposition ball (with varying degrees of success). Having conceded a penalty, Watford found themselves suddenly defending a lineout in their red zone which was duly rumbled over for the games opening score. A second try soon followed, and a cross field kick feel kindly for the winger to add a third for 17 points to nil within the opening 20 minutes. Cue much merriment and whooping from the opposition, Watford under their sticks once more wondering how the scoreboard looked like it did.

Knowing that the next score was absolutely crucial, Watford went back to basics. Work the hard yards, force penalties and look to gain territory. The Watford line out and maul were hugely successful, Mill Hillians resorting to any means to halt the red white and blue juggernaut. From such an infringement Watford were unlucky to hit the post, but the visitors first try was surely imminent. Captain Hammill made a half break, scragged on half way before offloading to the supporting Martin Lee who lolloped off into the opposition 22 in an attempt to find someone to run into. Having run into the fullback, the ball was recycled. Mike Jenkins collected, drew the cover and put Clenners over for the first of his brace. Extras added, 17-7 and game on.

The remainder of the half was all Watford, the rolling maul once again chewing up and spitting out defenders as it accelerated towards the MH line at a not inconsiderable speed. Once more the drive was stopped illegally, Butcher tapping and passing to man of the match Gary Wilson who was halted just short. Quick ball found Clenners hiding on the wing and ignoring a 3 man overlap (much to Sam’s disgust – see the picture), the second row dotted down in the corner. Josh only kicks difficult conversions and duly obliged, the home side suddenly defending a 3 point lead rather than 17. Half time came, 17-14 in a very entertaining and open game.

The message from Trudey and Ham at half time was simple – keep it simple. Work the territory, keep the big runs coming and the game was there for the taking.

Mill Hillians altered their tactics in an attempt to cut Watford’s maul out of the game, however the men in red white and blue countered this by going off the top and bringing the back line into the game. Simon Bram and Ian Butcher were enjoying an outstanding match, the control and communication exemplary. Watford continued to push, keen to take the lead their second half supremacy deserved. A classic Watford lineout saw Pitsialis held up over the line, Hammill the next to be halted after the referee judged him to have made a double movement in the act of scoring. The visitors however were not to be denied, a stolen scrum in the opposition 22 seeing Martin Lee pick and crash to put Watford in the lead. Wilkinson once more scored the extras, we were now in front for the first time in the game.

This roused the hosts, who showed why they are considered one of the favourites for promotion. MH dragged themselves back into Watford territory, a sustained spell of possession resolutely defended by the visiting team and yielding only three points. With 10 minutes left, a Butcher interception was dragged down, Watford now in range for the crucial fourth score. The game became scrappy, subsequent high tackles on Roelfy and Ham seeing Watford put the resulting penalty in the corner – sh1t or bust, no interest in a measly three pointer for us! The pack were held just short, the ball being worked to Bram who drew the home sides defence and put Jack Byrne through for the try, the win and all five points.

Whoop. Whoop.