Ahh. Thamesians. Good bunch of lads, always a close, physical encounter. This game was no different and with both sides well in the promotion hunt, the stakes for this clash between two old rivals were as high as in recent memory.

Knowing it’s a bit of a trek into deepest darkest Richmond we arrived nice and early. Which was for the best, as Clenners decided to park 5 miles from the ground and start our warm up early. After much moaning during the walk, we arrived and it was time for the heads to go on. Whilst the warm up was good, we got off to a bad start with Diston tweaking his hammy meaning a return to the starting line up for Kiren (and what a return it was – more on that later).

With Thamesians 2nd XV playing immediately beforehand, a large partisan crowd were gathered keen to see WRFC put to the sword. With conditions near on perfect for a game of rugby, the pleasantries were over and it was game time. A full blooded affair followed, with both sides knowing the winner would be favourites to join current front runners Bank in Herts Middlesex 1 next season. For the third game in a row, we found ourselves playing a team of ‘whoopers’. Every tackle made, knock on forced etc greeted with much braggadocio, whooping and hollering. This irritated us.

Honours fairly even in the early going, a penalty each meaning the scores were tied at 3 apiece. Unfortunately the deadlock was soon broken, and not to Watford’s advantage. Watford’s line speed was regularly forcing the Thamesians 10 to kick over the top, and once more good pressure forced the chip. Unfortunately, the ball bounced as only a rugby ball can and completely wrong footed Josh at full back. A great chase from the T’s winger saw him gather the loose ball and race away to score, despite a valiant last ditch tackle from Kiren. Cue the whooping, Watford 10-3 down but very much in the game.

Having regained possession, Watford went through the phases. Man of the match Bram pulling the strings from fly half, putting runners into space and directing proceedings with aplomb – Skinny and Sam in the centres also showing up strongly. Thamesians strayed offside in the middle of the park, the ball kicked to touch. A classic Watford maul followed, the men in red rumbling up the park in ominous fashion. Knowing the time was right to strike, Butcher spun the ball out to Bram who in turn found Kiren (credit to skin dog as well for his part) running a superb line to storm through would be tacklers and dot down under the sticks. Extras added, 10-10.

Having got ourselves back into the game we hit the self destruct button to try and make things interesting, allowing the opposition centre to slice through, feed his supporting man who trotted over to dot down. With the ball in one hand. Whilst wagging his finger to the sidelines. Extras slotted, 17-10. We had the majority of the ball for the remainder of the half, but solid Thamesians defence (credit to their 7 who was everywhere, felling players left right and centre) meant we went into the break 7 down.

Half time was a funny old affair. Despite being down on the scoreboard, it seemed none of us were remotely concerned about a possible defeat. There was a quiet confidence about the group, an air of steely determination that this was ours for the taking. Trudey was upbeat about our chances – keep the ball, keep playing as we were and the chances would come.

Whilst the first half was a pretty even affair, we flew out of the blocks and absolutely dominated the second period in terms of possession and territory. Other than a Thamesians penalty which came off the upright (thank god given the final score), I honestly can’t remember them being anywhere near our try line. However, whilst having the ball is all well and good, getting it over the whitewash was another matter entirely. We huffed and puffed, but just couldn’t blow that Thamesians house down. Josh missed with a penalty, while a few of us were held up over the line.

Beesy and Jenks entered the fray, a Thamesians scrum on their 5 metre line was absolutely obliterated. Result - scrum to Watford 5 out. T’s were able to lock out, however an offside gave us another shot at the pushover. Once more T’s locked out, we conceded a penalty for holding on and things were starting to look desperate.

The intensity from both sides didn’t let up, Thamesians showing why they have been a perennial thorn in Watford sides over the last few years with an incredible defensive display. We constantly got to within inches only the cough up possession or concede a penalty. A knock on allowed the home side to clear their lines but only found Kiren who did what he had done all game – he ran hard and straight into the heart of the Thamesians 22, eventually being hauled down. A Watford penalty was awarded at the subsequent ruck, a big call for Ham to make. The referee indicated that there were 2 minutes left on the clock, corner indicated and Bram knocks it to touch. The pack did their job, I was lucky enough to get over in the corner. Dunners queried his opposite numbers tackling ability (who had been on at him all game), but things were still not done. 90 seconds left, 2 points down with a touchline conversion to come. Josh gave it a great effort, but the kick drifted narrowly wide.

Sliding doors moment.. had Josh knocked it over, would the next phase of play have been the epic finale it turned out to be, or would we have settled for the draw? With the way this Watford team has been playing recently (in the league anyway), I like to think we would have pushed on regardless. So, two points down. The tension on the sideline is palpable. The referee confirms that whilst there is time to restart the game, it will be the last play. Such plays are seasons made on.

We gather the restart and keep it tight. Tired players grinding out the hard yards, step by painful step. All the pack take their turn, carrying into the Thamesians defensive wall. The ball goes wide, a slight hint of space and Bees makes a break before being hauled down. Both sides are out in their feet, the Watford pack empty the tank though and go back to their tight carrying game around the fringes inching closer and closer to the T’s danger zone. Finally we were within range, Thamesians panicking and straying offside in front of the posts. The clock is well into the red zone, one shot at glory to win it. Up steps Josh, cool as you like and perfectly bisects the posts much to the delight of anyone in a Watford shirt.

Commiserations to Thamesians, who put up an awesome fight as they always do but today was our day.

Three games left and our fate is very much in our hands ….